In the beginning, the idea wasn't to start a startup; I just wanted to solve my own problem with my cats' litter box. I wanted a litter box that worked with biodegradable litters from renewable sources.
The first idea was simple: replace silica with wood pellets, but using a litter box designed for that purpose. I hired an architect to transform this idea into a 3D project, and that is how the Hygie Box was born. Hygie BoxI took the project to the Secretary of Innovation of Porto Alegre/RS, who is also a cat lover, to get a practical opinion, and he was direct: this needs to become a startup. And he said more—I should participate in the Centelha/RS Program.
That was when Cattus was truly born. We became a company, participated in the program, and were approved with the 2nd best overall score and 1st in physical products (design).
Following our success at Centelha/RS, we began moving through innovation hubs and were invited by Biopark, in Toledo/PR, to join their incubation program.
During this period, we were also approved for the Paraná Anjo Inovador Program with the goal of bringing the Hygie Box to life and delivering it to cat lovers.