"Dreams require time, effort and money, although the latter is not an obstacle", say UPS students Karla Altamirano and Paula Salazar, creators COMFY. Their product won the Talent and Innovation Competition of the Organization of American States. COMFY was created in the university's coworking StartUPS office in Quito.

COMFY is a disposable toilet cover. Contains two layers, the first is antimicrobial and is made with natural extracts that eliminates 98% of germs, while the second is a waterproof layer that prevents leaks and direct contact with the toilet. In addition, it is friendly to the environment because it is 100% biodegradable.

COMFY won first prize in the Eco - Challenge category - Women of the OAS. Its purpose is to solve a public health problem by reducing the high rate of viral and bacterial diseases contracted by women when using public bathrooms.

Salazar and Altamirano competed against 4,713 products from 21 finalist teams representing 14 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The prize consists of seed capital and a year of advice for the growth and expansion of the project through strategic alliances with public and private entities.

For Salazar, being representatives of Ecuador and of UPS in the TIC Americas 2018, implied a great challenge: "We demonstrated that quality products that solve real problems are made in Ecuador. COMFY is a innovation from biotechnology where knowledge and research were joined because Salesian students not only learn, we also undertake and innovate"

The projects were evaluated with parameters of innovation, sustainability, social and environmental impact. "We were the only Ecuadorian team selected and we won the award, demonstrating our creativity and knowledge is at the service of society," says Altamirano.

The TIC Americas Competition, held in Lima (Peru) on April 11 and 12, is organized by the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), a business support and acceleration platform for young entrepreneurs. Its purpose is to provide guidance, training, mentoring, seed capital and investment, as well as access to an international cooperation network.