The program run by the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) and Know Hub invites science- and technology-based ventures to develop solutions in the field of shipbuilding. Applications are open until March 6, 2025.
To strengthen capabilities and drive research and technological innovation in Chile, the Chilean Navy’s Technological Innovation Center (CITA) and Know Hub Chile launched the new edition of their innovation program, Desafío Avante 04, which invites science and technology 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 shipbuilding industry. It is part of a strategic vision to position Chile as a benchmark in shipbuilding and technological innovation, through collaboration among 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”.
STRENGTHENING STARTUPS
Desafío Avante 04 seeks to drive 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 among 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.
DESAFÍO AVANTE 04
The call covers three areas:
1.- Sustainable Shipbuilding: seeks innovations that reduce the environmental impact of shipbuilding and increase the energy efficiency of vessels.
2.- Automation and Optimization: focused on developing automated systems that improve vessel assembly and maintenance processes.
3.- Advanced manufacturing for shipbuilding: for the creation of new lightweight, strong and durable materials. Any technology solution with the potential to positively transform the naval industry may also take part.
WHO CAN APPLY?
A.- The proposals, research results and/or technology solutions submitted must address some area within shipbuilding and be at a development stage equivalent to TRL 3 (see Annex 1 for more details on this scale).
B.- Proposals must come from teams of at least three members who, when applying, accept the program’s terms and conditions and commit to taking part in its activities. Teams must have at least 24 hours per week available to participate in the program, shared among the participants.
C.- Proposals not legally incorporated as a company in Chile must incorporate in Chile, under the terms specified, to be eligible for funding.
D.- Winning ventures from previous editions of Desafío Avante may not apply to Desafío Avante 04.
SUPPORT FOR THOSE SELECTED
Two winning teams will be chosen and will each receive CLP 35 million to develop their technology solution. They will also have the opportunity of a softlanding stage in the United States or Colombia, according to their needs.
In addition to financial support, the selected projects will receive mentoring from experts in the naval industry, innovation and technology. They will also have the opportunity to test and validate their technology solutions at the Asmar shipyards, 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 Desafío Avante 04 participants to feel part of an important mission for the country. Developing innovative solutions that tackle real shipbuilding challenges 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.
FIRST OPEN INNOVATION PROGRAM
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 run 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.
Read the original article at https://www.entnerd.com/desafio-avante-04-buscan-startups-para-desarrollar-soluciones-tecnologicas-en-construccion-naval/
