Airbus BizLab global network expands to Bengaluru

Leading aircraft maker Airbus has inaugurated a BizLab in Bengaluru as part of its strategy to establish a global network of aerospace business accelerators.
This is Airbus' third such BizLab after Toulouse, France and Hamburg, Germany.
In parallel, Airbus has opened a first round of applications for startups seeking support in the region, the company said in a statement.
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, it added.
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 startup selection to specific events to benefit from their respective ecosystem (mentors, experts, investors), the statement said.

"India is a strategic (market) for Airbus and we are committed to increasing our footprint in the country," said Kiran Rao, Airbus EVP, Strategy and Marketing.
Airbus launched its first global aerospace business accelerator in Toulouse in March, 2015 as part of its innovation strategy to bring together startups 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 to accelerate the pace at which it can commercialise innovative ideas drawn from within Airbus and outside, including from customers and other external partners.

Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, has sold 16,100 aircraft to 400 customers worldwide. The company has achieved almost 9,400 deliveries since the first Airbus aircraft entered into service, the statement said.