AVANTE CHALLENGE
A program to support science- and technology-based entrepreneurship organized by the Chilean Navy’s Center for Technological Innovation and Know Hub Chile
APPLICATIONS
PARTICIPATING TEAMS
TESTED MINIMUM VIABLE PRODUCTS
ACCELERATED STARTUPS
The Avante Challenge is a program designed to support science- and technology-based entrepreneurship that
connects science, defense, and industry to promote dual-use technologies. It is organized by the
Chilean Navy’s Center for Technological Innovation (CITA) and Know Hub Chile, with the support
of ONR Global (the U.S. Office of Naval Research).
Its pioneering nature lies in the systematic collaboration between the defense sector, startups, industry, and researchers to address the Navy’s operational challenges through science and technology with dual-use potential. This initiative has established a model—unprecedented in the region—for dual-use innovation
and technological maturation in strategic sectors.
Participating teams receive training in the Dual Tech methodology —a pioneering approach developed for incubating dual-use innovation projects—as well as access to expert mentors, funding, and
to develop MVPs, and the opportunity to become sophisticated suppliers to both the
defense sectors and the civilian market.
Proven impact: For every dollar contributed by Avante and ONR Global, the projects have attracted more than ten additional dollars in public funding. Seven startups have already made it past the “valley of death,” and two are operating internationally, having collectively raised more than $3.8 million
in additional funding.
Learn about the Avante Challenge
Previous editions
#4
AVANTE 2025
FOCUS: SHIPBUILDING
The fourth edition focused on shipbuilding, addressing energy efficiency, automation, optimization, cost reduction, and advanced manufacturing.
2025 WINNING TEAMS
Bosses, Inc.
Innovation Center Moderniza
Mine Analytics
APPLICATIONS
SELECTED
FINALISTS
WINNERS' TESTIMONIALS
#3
AVANTE 2023
FOCUS: ACTIVE HEALTH / PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Third edition focused on modernizing the data-driven preventive medicine model, including health data collection, the definition of risk indices, and dynamic scheduling.
2023 WINNING TEAMS
I'm in Control
Amanda
APPLICATIONS
SELECTED
FINALISTS
WINNERS' TESTIMONIALS
Winning this award is a very significant recognition of all the hard work we’ve put in—work that has required a great deal of effort—so it feels really good to be recognized by the institution, with which we had no prior connection and whose working methods we weren’t familiar with; it’s been a very interesting experience.
The "I'm in Control" Team
Avante 03 Winner
It was a very interesting experience. At first, we had certain preconceptions about the Navy, thinking it was a closed institution that was hard to get into. But in the end, we discovered a highly professional team with a clear mission for the country and a genuine desire to collaborate and learn from the civilian sector.
Amanda's Team
Avante 03 Winner
#2
AVANTE 2021
FOCUS: AVAILABILITY OF NAVAL RESOURCES
Second edition focused on the diagnosis of engineering systems and remote technical consulting to improve the availability of naval assets.
2021 WINNING TEAMS
Jaksol
Streltech
PredictiveLAB
APPLICATIONS
SELECTED
FINALISTS
WINNERS' TESTIMONIALS
We are proud and honored to have this tremendous opportunity to work with the Navy and begin developing this technology. Avante provides you with knowledge that will serve you for a lifetime and, above all, enable you to develop technology or science- and technology-based ventures more successfully.
The Jaksol Team
Avante 02 Winner
We are very grateful for the program; we learned a lot. Thank you to the Navy for opening its doors to us and allowing us to continue developing the solution that we believe will be useful to them.
The Streltech Team
Avante 02 Winner
What we learn from this challenge is really helpful; it helps us improve our solution. Avante is a great option, and the fact that they present you with these challenges and let you adapt and improve your solution is fantastic.
The PredictiveLab Team
Avante 02 Winner
#1
AVANTE 2020
FOCUS: MARITIME SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
The first pioneering edition focused on supporting the Navy in safeguarding Chile's maritime territory
: 26.5 million km² (1.5 times the size of South America).
2020 WINNING TEAMS
Marine Acoustics
Innercare
APPLICATIONS
SELECTED
FINALISTS
WINNERS' TESTIMONIALS
The Avante Challenge marked a turning point for us. Being part of the first cohort and among the first winners gave us a firsthand look at the Navy’s work and helped us establish a relationship that we continue to build upon. It also helped us establish ourselves in the field of hydroacoustics and secure funding from ANID to continue developing our solutions
Marine Acoustics Team
Avante 01 Winner
Programs such as Desafío Avante help organize and accelerate the development of solutions for both defense and civilian applications, linking technological capabilities with the country’s real-world challenges. Furthermore, they have enabled various startups to develop and market their technologies in response to these challenges.
Innercore Team
Avante 01 Winner
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE MADE AVANTE POSSIBLE
