The Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile), Know Hub and AthenaLab are inviting entrepreneurs, researchers and graduate students, for the second year in a row, to solve problems faced by the defense institution. The two winning teams will take home USD 120,000 in total.
Desafío Avante is an open innovation initiative that seeks to solve problems identified by the Chilean Navy through science- and technology-based ventures that can go on to become sophisticated suppliers to the defense sector and the civilian market. The call is organized by the Chilean Navy, Know Hub and AthenaLab.
In this second edition of Desafío Avante, entrepreneurs, researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, and postdocs are invited to solve two new problems related to the availability of naval assets: engineering systems diagnostics and remote technical assistance. The goal is to develop dual-use technologies, that is, technologies that solve challenges in the defense sector but also benefit the civilian market.
What are the stages of Avante? First, 10 teams will be shortlisted and will receive training in the Dual Tech methodology, developed by Know Hub Chile and the Chilean Navy and based on beneficiary and customer discovery.
After a selection pitch before a panel of expert judges (in late October), five teams will be chosen, each receiving USD 6,000 to develop their Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a kind of small-scale prototype. Dual-Tech training will also continue for another seven weeks. In mid-December, the teams will present again before a panel of expert judges to choose the two winners, who will take home USD 120,000: USD 65,000 for first place and USD 55,000 for second, funds intended to carry out a six-month work plan to scale the MVP and bring the technology closer to its dual-use market.
For more information about the problems to be solved in 2021, what the Dual-Tech methodology involves and the application documents, visit www.innovapolinav.cl/avante or www.knowhub.cl/dual-tech/
