Mexican startup wins first place in Softys Water Challenge

August 31, 2020
“Isla Urbana”, winner of the competition, designs and installs rainwater harvesting systems on the roofs of houses, delivering drinking water to underserved communities.

After seven months of competition, the three winners of the Softys Water Challenge were finally announced. This initiative, led by Softys in partnership with the UC Innovation Center and the Amulén Foundation, has been calling on entrepreneurs with solutions to provide access to drinking water in Latin America since January.

First place went to Isla Urbana, a solution from Mexico that designs and installs rainwater harvesting systems on rooftops, providing an efficient and sustainable alternative source of drinking water in vulnerable communities. This venture will receive additional funding from Softys to implement its solution in a community lacking access to clean drinking water in Latin America.

According to Nabani Vera, Communications Director of Isla Urbana, the simplicity and effectiveness of the ecotechnology, which empowers each family to be self-sufficient in water without relying on any external agent or actor, was the differentiating factor that earned them first place. “We are truly happy. While awards and recognition are not the goal of our project, they are very helpful in confirming that things are being done correctly, and they also inspire us to continue working with dedication, passion, and joy,” he said.

The second prize went to Remote Waters, a startup that provides seawater and groundwater purification technology, transforming it into clean, safe drinking water for communities with limited access to this resource. It consists of an easy-to-operate and portable purifier that treats contaminated or saltwater, providing an effective solution, for example, for communities that currently rely on wells or springs for their water supply, where the water often requires additional treatment.

Meanwhile, third place goes to Watergen, an Israeli startup with a presence in Chile for two years, whose solution consists of a device that produces drinking water from generators that take advantage of ambient humidity, transforming it into potable and purified water, being able to provide water at the household and/or community level.

Thus, after receiving more than 500 applications, where 85 projects from 31 countries fully met the competition's requirements, and where 19 semi-finalist projects were accelerated thanks to the support of the UC Innovation Center, Softys Water Challenge concludes its 2020 edition with a virtual awards ceremony streamed online.

The jury was composed of Cristóbal Somarriva, Legal Manager of Softys Latam; Jorge Matte, President of Fundación Amulén; Conrad Von Igel, Executive Director of the UC Innovation Center; Ignacio Lira, Deputy Manager of Public Affairs at Empresas CMPC; Marcello Basani, water and sanitation specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Maria de los Ángeles Romo, Executive Director of Startup Chile; Hiroshi Wald, Executive Director of Austral Capital Partners; and Zoraida Sánchez, Coordinator of the Water Access Program at Fundación Avina, Peru.

The Softys Water Challenge is an initiative that aligns with Softys' efforts—the CMPC subsidiary specializing in hygiene and personal care products—in water efficiency, water-related risk management, and supply chain engagement, among other areas. It also directly relates to the objective of fostering the development of local communities, a commitment that forms part of Softys' 2020–2023 Sustainability Strategy, which in turn contributes to the goals established in Empresas CMPC's Corporate Strategy.

“It was months of intense work, where we were finally able to identify the three solutions that best pursue the purpose of the Softys Water Challenge, which is to bring clean drinking water to underserved communities, especially now when hygiene and health are so important. That is the purpose that inspires us at Softys; we deliver the best care that people need every day, and at every stage of their lives,” said Nicole Sansone, Personal Care and Sustainability Manager for Latin America at Softys.

For his part, Conrad von Igel, Executive Director of the UC Innovation Center, added that “the entrepreneurs who made up the first generation of the Softys Water Challenge did remarkable work, showcasing 85 technological solutions from five continents, applicable in various contexts of drinking water scarcity. By promoting a culture and environment that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, the university, in conjunction with the private sector and civil society, has been able to impact people's daily lives through technology, providing access to this vital resource.”

Verónica Puga, Executive Director of the Amulén Foundation, explained that “we are proud to be part of the Softys Water Challenge, a unique opportunity to bring together innovations from around the world to address this reality that affects thousands of families in Chile and Latin America. This initiative is also a powerful tool for exploring and implementing new technologies, as it is urgent for our country to incorporate innovation as a way to solve the serious water crisis affecting us.”