Source: Aena

The accelerator Aena Ventures has already selected the projects that will be part of its second open acceleration program, aimed at solving the five challenges posed by the leading airport management company.

In this second edition, 514 proposals have been presented, 46% international, as companies from up to 40 countries have participated.

Aena Ventures has selected five technological startups in the growth phase, with the aim of them adding value to Aena and developing a pilot project in a real airport environment and with the help of the company’s internal teams:

  • Bag Id, the startup from Norway, specializes in electronic luggage tags, replacing traditional paper ones, providing a modern and sustainable solution for the identification and tracking of suitcases. It is the winning startup of the ‘Airport Efficiency’ challenge.
  • Copenhagen Optimization, based in the city that bears its name, is the winner of the ‘Data Driven Airport’ challenge. The startup works on improving airport operational efficiency through data-driven solutions, with a particular focus on optimizing passenger flows.
  • Deusens is a Spanish startup that is dedicated to improving the traveler experience through interactive digital solutions that allow more intuitive navigation within airports. Winner of the ‘Virtual Airport’ challenge, it opens the doors to the world of hyperexperience.
  • The Dutch company Hovyu, winner of the ‘Greener Airport’ challenge, offers an innovative solution for the decarbonization process in airports, focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability.
  • Finally, stressfreecarrental.com, the UK startup winner of the ‘Airport Destination’ challenge, provides a stress-free vehicle rental platform, guaranteeing a simplified and transparent user experience.

Startups will have the opportunity to develop a pilot project during the acceleration phase within the Aena ecosystem, with a prize of 50,000 euros and the opportunity to access a contract with the airport company of up to 2 million euros.

‘Welcome Week’ at Aena Ventures

The selected startups present their projects at the Aena Ventures ‘Welcome Week’, inaugurated today at the accelerator’s headquarters in T2 of the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. The president of Aena, Maurici Lucena, participated in this opening day; the vice president, Javier Marín; and the Innovation, Sustainability and Client Experience Director, Amparo Brea, among other members of the company’s Management Committee.

During the event, the president of Aena assured that “Aena Ventures not only anticipates the future of aviation, but actively contributes to its creation.”

Until next November 16, presentations have been scheduled in which startups will show their innovative solutions, sessions to define pilot projects to outline and specify collaborations with Aena and round tables in which experts from the entrepreneurial ecosystem will share their experiences, knowledge and visions about the future of the sector.

The second edition of Aena Ventures is part of Aena’s Strategic Innovation and Digital Transformation Plan, which promotes innovation and takes advantage of the advantages of technology and new business models to design the airport of the future.