SPAIN. Airports company Aena has selected five technological startups for the second edition of its startup accelerator programme Aena Venures: BagID, Copenhagen Optimization, DeuSens, Hovyu and stressfreecarrental.com.
In this second edition, 514 proposals were presented, of which 46% were international – companies from over 40 countries participated.
The winning companies will develop a pilot project during the acceleration phase within the Aena ecosystem with a budget of €50,000 (US$54,167). The startups will also be eligible for a contract with the airport company for up to €2 million (US$2.16 million).
Aena Ventures 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 companies’ internal teams.
BagID, the startup from Norway, specialises in electronic luggage tags, 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 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 optimising passenger flows.
DeuSens is a Spanish startup dedicated to improving the traveller experience through interactive digital solutions that allow intuitive navigation within airports. Winner of the ‘Virtual Airport’ challenge, it introduces the Hyperexperience metaverse.
Dutch company Hovyu – winner of the ‘Greener Airport’ challenge – offers an innovative solution for the decarbonisation process in airports, focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability.
UK startup stressfreecarrental.com is the winner of the ‘Airport Destination’ challenge. It provides a stress-free vehicle rental platform, offering a simplified and transparent user experience.
‘Welcome Week’ at Aena Ventures
The selected startups will present their projects at the Aena Ventures ‘Welcome Week’, inaugurated today at the accelerator’s headquarters in Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport Terminal 2.
Key Aena officials attended the opening day including President & CEO Maurici Lucena; Vice President Javier Marín; Innovation, Sustainability and Client Experience Director Amparo Brea; and other members of the company’s management committee.
Lucena said: “Aena Ventures not only anticipates the future of aviation, but actively contributes to its creation.”
Between now and 16 November next year, presentations have been scheduled for the startups to showcase innovative solutions, as well as sessions to define pilot projects to outline and specify collaborations with Aena. Additionally, the companies can participate in round tables where 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 plan for Innovation and Digital Transformation which promotes innovation and takes advantage of technology and new business models to design the ‘airport of the future’. ✈
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