Airbus BizLab, a global aerospace business accelerator has launched the #Africa4Future initiative, targeting East African startups doing 3D Printing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs), Satellite Operations and Imagery, Smart sensors, Internet of Things (IOT), smart energy and Artificial Intelligence in a move expected to transform their ideas into valuable businesses more quickly.
According to Bruno Gutierres, Head of the Airbus BizLabs, “We are excited to finally bring this programme to East Africa. We have been impressed by some of the innovations coming out of hubs such as Gearbox, Outbox, mLab, C4D Lab among other hubs and university research labs within the region. We are looking forward to receiving inspiring ideas and concepts from Nairobi in the coming weeks.”
The initiative welcomes applications from entrepreneurs, and start-up businesses from the region to apply online at www.novatoafrica.com/africa4future and submit their application on or before the 6th September 2017 to get a chance of being shortlisted for the final pitch event. A screening committee will then shortlist and select the most promising ideas or products.
The winning startup, selected from the final pitch event that will be held on the 26th of September 2017 in Nairobi, will win a fully-paid 10-day-trip to Europe in Oct/Nov 2017 and get the chance to meet and interact with aerospace experts and boost your startup. They will be able to work on solutions and, if the project advances well enough, partner with Airbus BizLab to see it to product stage.
Airbus aims to accelerate the pace at which it can commercialise innovative ideas drawn from within Airbus, from its customers as well as other external partners. Airbus BizLab is important in supporting this strategy. The Airbus BizLab creates a network of Business Accelerators to provide support to startups and turn these ideas and technologies into commercial reality. It enhances Airbus’s access to the newest ideas, technologies and ways of working in the aerospace sector and beyond.
Through programmes such as the #Africa4Future, Airbus provides early-stage projects with wide-ranging support, in the form of a six-month “accelerator programme” that gives startups access to a large number of coaches, experts and mentors in various domains: technology, legal, finance, marketing & communication; easing prototyping and market access.
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