The Airports For Innovation Network is a groundbreaking collaboration that, for the first time ever, unites leading airports worldwide to launch an international Call4Startups. This unique initiative brings together airports, startups, and industry experts with a clear common goal: to shape the future of aviation by defining new technological standards, improving passenger experience, and increasing operational efficiency through sustainable and innovative approaches.

The Call4Startups closed on October 28th, 2024, we started the evaluation process which will close on November 26th 2024.

1) Unique opportunity to validate solutions in international airports; 2) Receive 20.000 EUR per airport to cover operational and travel expenses for the pilot on your projects; 3) Gain access to dedicated business mentorship from industry leaders; 4) elevate your startup by gaining international exposure and the chance to showcase and test your solutions on a worldwide stage.

The aim of the network is to launch the first international Call4Startups in the airport sector and choose the best worldwide startups to run Pilot with them and solve common airport needs.

A Selection Committee, composed at least of 9 members, will analyse, evaluate and score the eligible applications, determine the finalists, and select the winning submissions. The finalists for each Challenge will be the 10 submissions that obtain the highest score. The results will be notified to the participants and simultaneously published on the A4I website.

The Airports For Innovation (A4I) program is designed to foster groundbreaking solutions in the airport industry. A4I launches four challenges related to the airport industry, inviting startups to participate by submitting their proposals. These proposals are then evaluated by an international Selection Committee, consisting of representatives from all the airports in the network. Startups with the highest ratings are given priority in chosen their preferred airports for executing their pilots. Airports can decide whether to accept a startup for a specific challenge until a valid match is found. Once selected, startups will test their solutions in at least two international hubs for a period of 12 months. Each matched airport provides 20.000 EUR to cover operational and travel expenses for the pilot.

Airports participating in the A4I program do not expect a financial return on investment from the pilots, and the startup will not be penalized if the pilot does not yield the expected results. However, the startup is required to adhere to the execution of milestones established in the relevant agreement. It is important that startups remain dedicated and committed to completing the pilot within the duration specified in the agreement.

Payment terms are defined in the pertinent agreement according to project milestones.

Yes, the program is equity-free.

The program will be primarily online, with some in-person activities such as the final Demo Day and any necessary travel for the pilot execution.

Any travel and VISA costs required to work on the pilot must be covered by the startup.

Yes, you can withdraw from the process at any time and for any reason before the agreement is signed. If you withdraw after the agreement is in place, you will be required to return a proportional amount of any payments received for milestones that have not been met.

The working language of the program will be English. Proposals must be written in English.

The criteria for evaluating proposals are detailed in the official document of the bases.

The finalists will be invited to make an in-person or online 15 minutes presentation of their proposals to the Selection Committee, at a designated location (only in case of in-person presentation). Finalists will answer questions and will indicate at which airports (at least two and up to nine) in the network they would like to start the pilot.

A successful pilot could be your gateway to a long-term, impactful partnership with leading airports worldwide. While there is no obligation for airports to continue the partnership, each airport will independently define the relationship model with the startup according on their preferences and local regulations.

After the pitch days and the airport preferences identified by the startups, the Selection Committee will select the winners trying to match the preferences of the finalists with those of the airports. A Finalist will be retained as a Selected winner as long as there are at least two airports in the network that confirm their willingness to move forward with it towards a pilot project.

The winner will have access to the airport’s knowledge, technology and facilities. The airport will provide a workplace with basic facilities, a mentoring program, workshops and advice using their relationship model (collaboration agreement, NDA, contract, etc.). Each Party may establish specific contractual conditions with the winner in accordance with applicable laws and its own internal policies.