Hult Prize, the world’s largest socially focused youth competition, will allow first place winners from Yachay Tech University to present their work as part of regional competitions, where winning teams on college campuses will compete against teams from all the world.

“Water Y”, first-place winner, is an emerging impact company that aims to create a water condenser that allows people to give an immediate response to the lack of the vital liquid and that can also be used in crops by drip irrigation. This would solve the shortage of water caused by the summer season, after the effects of natural disasters or in places where it is difficult to have access to this vital liquid due to their geographical location.

Doménica Garzón, Carlos Chipantiza, Ariel Cabrera and Cristina Rubio, will present their project in the regional competition to be held in the city of Nairobi, Kenya, in April.

This year’s Hult Prize 2021 Challenge asks entrepreneurs to build the foundations of a business that will create jobs, stimulate economies, reinvent supply chains and improve the overall bottom line for 10,000,000 people by 2030.

“Water Y” does it through an atmospheric water collector that can produce water regardless of the humidity level or geographical location. It is low-cost and will be manufactured with waste from agriculture, rice husks. In addition, it has a portable device that manages to collect water for human consumption in a personal way.

This device bases its technology on the use of graphene, enhancing its efficiency and significantly increasing the amount of condensed water. “Water Y was designed to be used in agriculture through drip irrigation, which is famous for its optimal application of water and fertilizers in agricultural systems in arid areas of the world,” said Doménica Garzón.

She also indicated that: “It is an incredible experience to be selected for the next round and we really believe that our idea can and will change the world.”

The Hult Prize Foundation together with the United Nations Office of Associations, offers an annual grand prize of $ 1,000,000 dollars. “Water Y” has exceeded all predictions, excelling in a record number of 350,000 participants who began the journey last fall.

Yachay Tech University supports the participation of students and their initiatives in the search for the common good and scientific development of the country.