On September 18, 2025, the grand finale of FADCOM's 5MinPitch took place as part of The Final Pitch event, held at the STEM facilities. This event brought together students from Graphic Design, Product Design, and Media Production, who presented their academic projects to a specialized jury that evaluated the innovation, feasibility, and impact of each proposal.
In this edition, first place went to the project “Fortican: Innovation in Pet Protection,” developed by Domenica Narcisa Chávez Gualán and Nicolás Sebastián Álvarez Ochoa, Product Design students. Their proposal consists of a body system for dogs that prevents injuries caused by canine attacks. Made of resistant and modular materials, the design was conceived using the Design Thinking methodology, guaranteeing safety, ergonomics, and wide acceptance by guardians and veterinarians. It is an innovative solution with high potential for market scaling.
In addition, the event featured projects of great academic and social value. In Graphic Design, Valeria Marissa Apolo Villegas and Aaron Javier Veloz Rojas presented the visual communication strategy for ASPYBAND, a rock band made up of neurodivergent musicians from Guayaquil, which included a brand manual and a professional dossier.
In Product Design, the proposal by Gerson Vásquez and Valeria Troccoly also stood out. They developed an ergonomic breastfeeding support accessory designed to reduce musculoskeletal discomfort in mothers and provide greater comfort for the baby.
In Media Production, Susana Estrada and Gabriela Leyton presented the experimental short film “País de campeonas” (Country of Champions), a mixed media and stop motion piece that narrates the struggle of Ecuadorian female athletes in the face of adversity. Billy Morán and Mike Rodríguez worked on the feature film “Año Nuevo, Año Viejo” (New Year, Old Year), which explores the transition from youth to adulthood, the social crisis, and the country's cinematic memory.
After the final, the students presented their proposals at the IDEAR Fair, held at the Library Information Center. This space allowed entrepreneurs, academics, and representatives from the private sector to learn about the projects firsthand, with a view to future partnerships and investments. FADCOM's 5MinPitch and the IDEAR Fair confirm that students' innovation, creativity, and talent have the capacity to generate real solutions for society.
© Photography & Written by José Luis Castro
