Under the motto “A boost toward the future of shipbuilding,” this startup-strengthening program, organized by the Chilean Navy’s Technological Innovation Center and Know Hub Chile, invites science- and technology-based ventures to develop solutions in the field of shipbuilding. Applications are open until March 6, 2025.
The construction of the Antarctic icebreaker Almirante Viel, in service since July 2024, marked a milestone in the history of shipbuilding in Chile. It is the first icebreaker built in South America, the result of implementing special equipment to increase lifting and weight-handling capacity, modernizing steel cutting and bending systems, and introducing more precise dimensional control systems, which enable the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) to take on complex projects.
This achievement consolidates the country as a relevant player in maritime security, national and international research, and cooperation in search and rescue operations on the polar continent. It is proof of how important shipbuilding development is for Chile. As a maritime nation, the country needs to keep its naval capabilities at a first-class level so that it can replicate builds like the Almirante Viel in the future.
To enhance these capabilities and drive research and technological innovation, the new edition of Desafío Avante, the innovation program of the Chilean Navy’s Technological Innovation Center (CITA) and Know Hub Chile, invites science- and technology-based startups to apply with their shipbuilding projects until March 6, 2025.
Desafío Avante 04 is a pioneering initiative in Chile that seeks to accelerate the creation of startups focused on developing innovative solutions that strengthen and modernize the national naval industry. It is part of a strategic vision to position Chile as a benchmark in shipbuilding and technological innovation through collaboration between entrepreneurs, academia and industry.
Héctor Cifuentes, innovation coordinator at Know Hub Chile, describes Desafío Avante as “our contribution to finding new forms of collaboration between the naval industry and science- and technology-based ventures, thereby fostering new and better solutions for the construction process.”
Know Hub Chile’s role
In 2019, Desafío Avante was the first open innovation program, developed jointly by the Navy and Know Hub Chile, to seek solutions for a defense institution.
Since then, Know Hub Chile has collaborated on, designed and carried out a series of programs to achieve systematic collaboration between Defense and the national science, technology, knowledge and innovation (CTCI) ecosystem. In 2022, it ran the Fortis Challenge, which invited Chilean universities to seek innovations in the use of Lockheed Martin’s Fortis exoskeleton. In 2023, together with CITA, it developed Proa I+D, a program that supported researchers by providing them with spaces to carry out research of mutual interest. It also collaborates with the Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aérea de Chile) on the Ad Astra Platform, which seeks to foster Chile’s integration into the new space economy and whose first programs include National Payload, focused on developing the national payload for one of the upcoming missions of Chile’s National Satellite System.
Strengthening startups
Desafío Avante 04 seeks to promote the creation of science and technology ventures that contribute to the modernization of shipbuilding, developing solutions in areas such as automation, sustainability, robotics and advanced materials technology, among others.
It also fosters public-private collaboration, promoting synergies between startups, universities, research centers and shipyards to solve key challenges in the naval industry. It supports the technological transformation of Chilean shipyards and related industry, improving productivity, efficiency and competitiveness through innovation; and it seeks to generate high-value jobs in technology and science sectors, training skilled talent and fostering the development of new capabilities in the country.
The selected projects will receive financial support as well as mentoring from experts in the naval industry, innovation and technology. They will also have the opportunity to test and validate their technological solutions at the shipyards of Asmar, the most important shipbuilding center in Chile. Taking part will allow them to work directly with the Chilean Navy and key players in the industrial sector, integrating solutions into strategic naval projects. Throughout this process, they will receive support to scale their solutions nationally and internationally, creating new growth opportunities.
“We want the participants of Desafío Avante 04 to feel part of an important mission for the country. Developing innovative solutions that address real challenges in shipbuilding will strengthen not only the shipyards and the Navy, but also Chile’s technological and industrial capabilities,” says Francisca Lema, head of Plans at CITA.
The call covers three areas. The first is “Sustainable Shipbuilding,” which seeks innovations that reduce the environmental impact of shipbuilding and increase the energy efficiency of vessels. A second area is “Automation and Optimization,” aimed at developing automated systems that improve vessel assembly and maintenance processes. There is also “Advanced Manufacturing for Shipbuilding,” for the creation of new lightweight, strong and durable materials. Any technological solution with the potential to positively transform the naval industry may also apply.
Two winning teams will be selected and will each receive CLP 35 million to develop their technological solution. They will also have the opportunity to take part in a softlanding stage in the United States or Colombia, according to their needs. For more information about Desafío Avante, visit: https://desafioavante.cl
