Russ Curry, Ministry of New Media
Airport operator AENA, the majority shareholder of London Luton Airport Operations Limited, has announced the launch of the AENA Ventures program, which will provide funding for startups that develop technology to improve the passenger experience at airports.
Aena has announced a call aimed at driving disruptive technologies in an innovative, sustainable and efficient way which will help deliver solutions to the current and future challenges facing the air transport industry.
Amparo Brea, Aena’s chief innovation, sustainability and customer experience officer, said, “Startup businesses will be essential for helping to meet the challenges of the aviation sector in the coming years. The AENA Ventures program will allow up to five companies to collaborate and test their products before implementing prototypes in different airports, and potentially securing a deployment contract at the end of the process. As a global airport operator, we hope to attract entries from all around the world and look forward to collaborating with the businesses who will help us to solve the challenges of tomorrow.”
The call is addressed to start-ups from all over the world who are invited to sign up for this first initiative.
Aena will be looking for projects which leverage the advantages of technology and new business models in airport infrastructures and develop smart systems to enhance the customer experience.
The start-ups chosen will be guided by expert mentors in the airport industry to shape their ideas and proposals and also get physical facilities and EUR 50,000 in funding for implementation. They may additionally have the chance to enter into an agreement with Aena worth up to EUR 2 million for development and deployment of the idea in the selected airports.
The programme will address five challenges:
- Agility in procedures and travel to the airport
- Passenger experience
- Passenger communication
- Sustainability
- Baggage as a whole
Those interested have until September 14, 2020 to present their projects with the aim of starting the acceleration this year.
The six-month acceleration programme will begin in December 2020 and run until May 2021, when start-ups will showcase their achievements to Aena at the final event called Demo Day.
Start-ups interested in joining the programme can register here.
Follow DailyDOOH