The initiative, driven by Know Hub and the Technological Innovation Center of the Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile), has become a benchmark for dual-use innovation in the country, bringing together science, defense and industry around strategic challenges.
The closing of the fourth edition of Desafío Avante, held as part of the second Dual Hub Summit, crowned a ten-month process of collaborative work among science, entrepreneurship and defense. Three finalist teams —Mine Analytics, Centro de Innovación Moderniza and Bosses— were recognized for the progress and prospects of their technological solutions, all with potential impact in both the naval domain and civilian industries.
The event, held at the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of Universidad de Chile, brought together entrepreneurs, representatives of the Armed Forces, universities, research centers and public and private organizations, in a day that reaffirmed the Avante program as one of the most robust dual-use innovation models in Chile.
“Avante is much more than an open innovation program. It is a unique platform where science, technology, entrepreneurship and defense come together to solve real challenges,” said Taky Parvex, senior innovation manager at Know Hub Chile, during the closing ceremony.
Since its creation in 2020, Desafío Avante, a program supporting science- and technology-based entrepreneurship organized by the Chilean Navy’s Technological Innovation Center and Know Hub Chile, has evolved from a pilot into a consolidated ecosystem of cross-sector collaboration. In this fourth edition, the focus was on shipbuilding, a strategic field for the country that opens up opportunities for scientific, technological and productive development.
“One of the program’s most significant achievements is that most of the solutions went beyond the naval domain and, in their dual-use version, are already generating impact in health, mining, food systems and logistics, boosting the competitiveness of other industries,” highlighted Lieutenant Francisca Lema, of the Navy’s Technological Innovation Center.
Three solutions with dual-use impact
The three Desafío Avante finalist teams are concrete examples of the value that cross-sector collaboration can create.
Mine Analytics presented project planning and management software that integrates data from different operating units in shipyards, improving coordination and productivity in shipbuilding processes.
Centro de Innovación Moderniza, for its part, developed advanced management tools to control costs and timelines in naval projects, providing a concrete solution to one of the sector’s biggest challenges.
And Bosses proposed a hybrid propulsion system for small vessels, capable of cutting fuel consumption by up to 30%, significantly reducing operating costs and environmental impact.
A replicable open innovation model
These projects, selected after a rigorous validation process, now move on to a second stage of maturation and piloting, supported by the Navy’s Technological Innovation Center, Know Hub Chile and the Avante Collaborators Network.
During the closing ceremony, special recognition was given to the institutions that make up this network for their constant and active support throughout the fourth edition of the program. They include ASMAR, DTS, Open Beauchef, Universidad Austral de Chile, the Centro Científico Tecnológico de Valparaíso (CCTVal), the Centro de Innovación y Diseño Avanzado (CINNDA) and the Asociación Nacional de Armadores (ANA).
Recognition was also given to Sonia Wolff, Associate Science Director at the Office of Naval Research Global (ONR-G), for her vision, commitment and ongoing support since the program’s beginnings. ONR-G’s support has been essential in consolidating Avante as a dual-use innovation model recognized both nationally and internationally.
“Collaboration between civilian and military actors, structured through dual-use innovation processes, drives the development of new technologies,” said Lieutenant Lema, highlighting the Navy’s role as an active user of the program.
Avante 04 had a strong regional footprint, with stages held in Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Concepción and Talcahuano before culminating in Santiago. This edition also gave teams that did not receive initial funding the opportunity to participate by self-funding their attendance, which showed how much entrepreneurs value the program.
“Early interaction with users, expert support and the use of methodologies adapted to the national context have been essential for entrepreneurs to develop evidence-based proposals that respond to real problems,” Parvex highlighted.
A strategic bet for the country
With this fourth edition, Avante consolidates an open innovation model applied to the country’s strategic challenges. Its dual-use approach not only makes it possible to respond to specific defense needs, but also opens up opportunities for productive diversification and technological sophistication for Chile.
“We hope this model can be replicated to keep tackling major challenges and contribute to the country’s scientific, technological and productive development,” Parvex concluded, anticipating that what these teams have achieved is only the beginning of a greater impact.
With a long-term vision, Avante is positioned as a key instrument to strengthen national technological autonomy, connect distributed capabilities and promote a culture of collaboration that transcends sectors and disciplines.
