Airbus has inaugurated a BizLab in Bengaluru, India, its third after Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany, as part of its strategy to establish a global network of aerospace business accelerators. In parallel, Airbus has opened a first round of applications for start-ups seeking support in the region. A screening committee, which includes Airbus’s Chief Innovation Officer, Yann Barbaux, and the Head of the Airbus BizLabs, Bruno Gutierres, will select the most promising ideas.
Airbus BizLab in India will be co-located with NUMA, France’s biggest business accelerator and one of the most active in Europe. Both will create strong synergies between their accelerators, from start-up selection to specific events to benefit from their respective ecosystem (mentors, experts, investors).
Bruno Gutierres, Head, Airbus BizLab said, “Airbus has always been at the forefront of innovation to create more value for our customers. With the Airbus BizLab Bengaluru we are broadening our horizons and we aim to accelerate the rise of an Indian aeronautical entrepreneurship.”
Dr. Kiran Rao, EVP Strategy and Marketing, Airbus said, “India is a strategic market for Airbus and we are committed to increasing our footprint in the country. Setting up Airbus Bizlab Bengaluru, reinforces this commitment by further enhancing India’s aerospace entrepreneurial eco-system.”
Airbus launched its first global aerospace business accelerator in Toulouse in March 2015 as part of its innovation strategy to bring together start-ups and Airbus “intrapreneurs” (internal entrepreneurs) to work and speed up the transformation of their innovative ideas into valuable businesses. A second BizLab accelerator was opened in Hamburg, Germany, in September 2015. The aim is to accelerate the pace at which it can commercialise innovative ideas drawn from within Airbus and outside, including from customers and other external partners.
Early-stage projects are offered wide-ranging support, in the form of a six-month “acceleration programme”. Through these programmes, Airbus BizLab gives access to a large number of coaches, experts and mentors in various domains: technology, legal, finance, marketing and communication; easing prototyping and access to market.
