The founders who register for the Airports for Innovation Call4Startups not only have the opportunity to test and validate their solutions at international airports, they will also receive €20,000 per airport to cover operating and travel costs for the pilot project. The network also offers access to mentors from the industry.
Specifically, the competition is looking for startups in four areas: Seamless Travel Experience, Sustainable Aviation, AI-powered Airports, and Smart Luggage Revolution. The Seamless Travel Experience category focuses on topics such as gamification and entertainment for passengers, as well as airport navigation and check-in innovations. Sustainable Aviation encompasses energy solutions (production, storage, management, and more) as well as everything related to environmentally friendly fuels. Under AI-driven Airports, the initiators expect submissions that improve data management at airports and expand data usage with new possibilities – naturally with the help of AI. And the Smart Luggage Revolution, in addition to sustainability and security in the baggage sector, is also about making baggage traceable and easier to find.
Startups from all over the world offering solutions in one of the four areas are eligible to apply. Points are also awarded for the technology's stage of development, its impact, feasibility, and scalability. The team behind the startup is also evaluated. Application deadline is October 28The finalists will be announced in November. The pilots are scheduled to launch in December.
The Airports for Innovation
Behind “Airports for Innovation” are the airports Aeroporti di Roma, Athens International Airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Vancouver International Airport, Munich Airport and Narita International Airport. The operating companies Aena, Aéroports de la Côte d'Azur, Dubai Airports, and Oman Airports are also on board. According to the group's own figures, the participating airports handle over 800 million passengers annually.
Further information can be found on the Airports for Innovation website.
