Airbus has expanded its global network of BizLabs by opening a fourth campus in Madrid (Spain) after Toulouse (France), Hamburg (Germany) and Bangalore (India). This milestone is part of Airbus' strategy to establish a global network of aerospace business accelerators.

Madrid concentrates all Airbus businesses (Defence & Space, Airbus Helicopters, and Commercial Aircraft) and represents a strategic bridge between Europe and Latin America, a flourishing ecosystem for start-ups. Pedro Luzon who currently is Business Performance Improver at Airbus Operations in Spain will be the Head of BizLab in Madrid.

In parallel, Airbus has launched its new call for projects worldwide with applications open until June 24th. Airbus BizLab is looking for projects that include developments of an existing product, a service or an application related to the aerospace industry and beyond. Examples include: Data analytics and Artificial Intelligence, Digital Design and Manufacturing, Autonomy and Robotics, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle & Urban Air Mobility, Electrification & Connectivity, Virtual and Augmented Reality, New Space solutions and SmartCity as well as Blockchain and Cybersecurity.

BizLab is also challenging start-ups to propose innovative concepts and technical solutions to the sustainable development goals (United Nation Sustainable Development Goals).

Pre-selected projects will be invited to a two-day final selection workshop with Airbus experts and Top Management in the four campuses from the end of August 2018. The selected projects will kick off the Airbus BizLab fourth Season in October 2018.

"Airbus BizLab is pioneering the corporate approach to accelerating the complex journey from idea to scalable business," said Bruno Gutierres, Head of Airbus BizLab. "We are proud to inaugurate this additional BizLab in Madrid, where Airbus is represented at all business units. With this fourth campus opening in Spain we are widening our horizons even further supporting the development of an innovative aeronautical ecosystem in Spain."

The Airbus BizLab welcomes applications for acceleration programmes from entrepreneurs, start-up businesses and Airbus employees. To date, the BizLab accelerated 50 startups and 40 internal projects and more than 1,000 start-ups have interacted with the business accelerator.

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 & communication; easing prototyping and access to market.

Contributed by Airbus