With a large audience, the second edition of this open innovation challenge was launched virtually. It invites the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem to develop technological solutions to problems identified by the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) within the institution that can also reach the civilian market.
On Thursday, July 22, the launch event was held for Avante 2021, an open innovation challenge organized by the Chilean Navy, Know Hub and AthenaLab that invites entrepreneurs, researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students to present technological solutions to problems identified by the Navy within the institution.
One of the purposes of the Avante Challenge is to strengthen the connection between research, development and innovation (R&D&I) and the defense sector. That is why the online launch event was attended by Andrés Couve, Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, and Cristián de la Maza, Undersecretary of Defense.
“I want to congratulate you on the initiative of this open innovation challenge and on having continued it. The Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation promotes not only discovery but also innovation and entrepreneurship; in other words, we are concerned both with how knowledge is generated and how it is transferred to society, so I reiterate our commitment and enthusiasm for this and other initiatives with the Navy and the rest of the ecosystem,” said Minister Couve.
Undersecretary of Defense Cristián de la Maza added: “It is a tremendous satisfaction to witness this second edition of Avante. We have established in our defense policy that technology and innovation are fundamental pillars, not only for developing our strategic capabilities, but also as a necessity for optimizing our decision-making processes and sustaining the force.”
In the panel discussion “Reaching port: the experience of the Avante Challenge and the Navy in innovation,” there was an interesting dialogue among the winners of the Avante Challenge 2020, Marcela Ruiz and Juan Pablo Heusser, who shared their motivations, experience and lessons learned in the previous edition of the challenge. Members of Avante’s governance also took part: Javier Ramírez, Executive Director of Know Hub Chile, and Captain Jorge Maldonado, who served as master of ceremonies.
“Together with the Chilean Navy, we designed the Dual-Tech methodology, which precisely seeks to develop dual technologies, that is, technologies capable of reaching the defense sector, initially by solving the problems defined by the Navy in Avante, and the civilian market. This methodology covers all the aspects a science-based entrepreneur needs: mentoring, training in customer or beneficiary discovery, a work plan and resources,” said Ramírez, who is also an Avante mentor.
The event was closed by the owner of the Avante 2021 problems, Rear Admiral Leonardo Quijarro, Director General of Navy Services, who explained the importance of solving this year’s challenges, both related to the availability of naval assets: Engineering Systems Diagnostics and Remote Technical Assistance.
“The challenges we are launching today reflect a commitment to finding better ways to meet the needs of a dynamic, restless and evolving navy that seeks to get the maximum possible performance from the material assets at its disposal, in order to ensure availability and effectively fulfill the mission areas of national defense,” concluded Rear Admiral Quijarro.
About the call
Avante is organized by the Chilean Navy, Know Hub and AthenaLab. The call is open until September 7. Initially, 10 teams will be pre-selected and will receive training in the Dual Tech methodology. After a selection pitch before a jury of experts, five teams will be selected, each of which will receive USD 6,000 to develop its Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and will continue the Dual Tech training for seven more weeks. Finally, two teams will be the winners: first place will receive USD 65,000 and second place USD 55,000, funds intended to implement a six-month work plan to scale the MVP and bring the technology closer to its dual market.
To relive this launch event and get more information, visit www.innnovapolinav.cl/avante and https://knowhub.cl/dual-tech/ . You can also keep up with all the events and news on our social media @innovapolinav on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.
