The Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) and Know Hub have launched a new edition of Desafío Avante, an open innovation program for startups interested in developing technological solutions for the naval industry. The initiative, open until March 13, 2025, seeks to foster collaboration among entrepreneurs, academia and industry, with the aim of positioning Chile as a global benchmark in shipbuilding. The selected projects will not only receive funding and expert mentoring, but will also have the opportunity to test their innovations at the Asmar shipyards, the country’s main shipbuilding center, thus becoming part of strategic projects of the Chilean Navy.
Desafío Avante focuses on three key areas: «Sustainable Shipbuilding», which seeks innovations that minimize environmental impact and improve the energy efficiency of vessels; «Automation and Optimization», aimed at developing automated systems to improve assembly and maintenance processes; and «Advanced Manufacturing for Shipbuilding», which centers on creating new materials that are lightweight, strong and durable. The call is designed to attract technological solutions that positively transform the Chilean naval industry, promoting an innovative and sustainable approach.
The construction of the Antarctic icebreaker Almirante Viel, inaugurated in July 2024, represents a significant milestone in the history of shipbuilding in Chile, highlighting the country’s capacity to carry out complex projects. The vessel, the first of its kind in South America, was built thanks to the introduction of special equipment and the modernization of production systems, underscoring the importance of innovation in the sector. Héctor Cifuentes, innovation coordinator at Know Hub, stresses that Desafío Avante is an essential contribution to fostering new forms of collaboration between the naval industry and tech startups.
Since its creation in 2019, Desafío Avante has been a key platform for promoting dual innovation in Chile, seeking solutions that benefit both the defense and civilian spheres. Over the years, it has evolved with initiatives such as the Desafío Fortis in 2022, which focused on the use of exoskeletons, and the Proa I+D program in 2023, which supported researchers in their projects. These efforts have strengthened the country’s technological capacity and collaboration across sectors, creating an ecosystem conducive to innovation.
Desafío Avante 04 seeks not only to boost the creation of startups in the field of shipbuilding, but also to foster synergies between the public and private sectors. This year, two winning teams will be selected and will receive CLP 35 million each to develop their technological solutions, as well as the chance to carry out a soft landing in the United States or Colombia. The initiative is a valuable opportunity for Chilean entrepreneurs to contribute to the modernization of the naval industry, solving key challenges and positioning Chile as a leader in technological innovation.
Read the original story at https://vmasv.cl/desafio-avante-innovacion-en-construccion-naval-en-chile/
