Global aerospace accelerator Airbus BizLab is expanding to East Africa with the launch of its #Africa4Future initiative, which will offer aerospace startups in the region access to coaches, experts and mentors.
Airbus BizLab has over the past two years hosted 29 startups and 27 Airbus internal projects in programmes at three locations – Toulouse (France), Hamburg (Germany) and Bangalore (India).
It is now bringing its six-month accelerator programme to Nairobi, to offer early-stage projects support. Applications are open here until September 6, with Airbus BizLab looking for startups that shape the future of aerospace technologies in areas such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Satellite Operations and Imagery, 3D Printing, Smart sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), smart energy and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The winning startup will have the opportunity to take part in a fully-paid 10-day-trip to Europe later this year to meet and interact with aerospace experts. They will also have the chance to work on solutions and potentially partner with Airbus BizLab to see it to product stage.
“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,” said Bruno Gutierres, head of the Airbus BizLabs.
