In its third edition, the open innovation initiative developed by the Chilean Navy and Know Hub Chile attracted 40 teams interested in solving the institution’s technological challenges with national science and technology capabilities through innovative dual-use solutions.
In 2020, Desafío Avante made its mark on the national innovation and technology ecosystem as one of the first initiatives to underline the importance of innovation in defense. Its purpose is to solve problems identified by the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) through science- and technology-based startups that can become sophisticated suppliers to the defense sector and the civilian market.
This program, developed by the Chilean Navy and Know Hub Chile, connects the Chilean Navy’s technological challenges with national science and technology capabilities from startups, universities, research centers, technical training centers, professional institutes and other players in the national innovation ecosystem, through innovative dual-use solutions, that is, solutions that can be applied to national defense organizations as well as to the public or private sectors, with high potential impact on the market and society.
In 2020, in that first call for dual-use solutions to the challenges posed by the Chilean Navy, 39 teams (164 people) applied, of which nine took part in the program. Later, in the second edition in 2021, 23 teams (113 people) applied and 10 joined the program.
In its third edition, interest in taking part keeps growing. Applications for the current call closed on January 30, and 40 teams (155 people) answered the call to be part of Desafío Avante 3, a 73.9% increase over 2021. Of these, 63% were companies, 10% came from universities and 28% were individuals. 83% of the teams are led by men and 18% by women.
Innovative solutions
93% of the teams were national initiatives, and the rest international. Broken down by city, there were representatives from Talca, Punta Arenas, Quilpué, Santiago, Viña del Mar, Valdivia, Concepción, Valparaíso and Temuco.
By challenge, 80% applied to one related to health, 10% to surveillance and 10% to both surveillance and health.
Of all the proposals received, those that respond to one of the challenges of the current call are deemed eligible. There are two priority areas: Active Health and Maritime Situational Awareness, with challenges identified through the joint work of the Naval Health Directorate, the Directorate of Programs, Research and Development, and the Naval Polytechnic Academy.
Eight shortlisted teams will receive training through the Dual Tech program, which will enable them to develop technologies for the defense sector and the civilian market.
“We are very happy with the proposals we received this year for Desafío Avante 3,” says Lieutenant Francisca Lema, coordinator of Desafío Avante 3, adding that it is an excellent initiative to help “the R&D&I and entrepreneurship ecosystem get to know the Chilean Navy, its problems, needs, people, history and traditions.”
That connection is important, says Lema, to understand the Navy’s nature and value what it does every day. “We hope the selected teams will commit not only to solving the problems posed, but also to contributing to the country’s development, which is one of the main goals of Desafío Avante,” she stresses.
Jovanka Trebotich, technology transfer coordinator at Know Hub Chile and part of the Desafío Avante team, says it is gratifying for the organization to see how its work with the Chilean Navy once again sparks strong interest from a wide range of teams in solving the Navy’s problems, which this year focused on active health.
“In this regard, we see strong participation from science- and technology-based startups, which shows that these companies are currently the engine of innovation in the country, as well as the growing presence of teams from the regions. Now an important team selection process begins, so we can choose the eight that will go on to work side by side with the Navy and Know Hub Chile,” Trebotich emphasizes.
