French airport operator Groupe ADP is planning to open a new Innovation Hub at Paris-Orly Airport in 2020. The hub will build on the success of Groupe ADP’s existing Innovation Hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Launched in 2017, the Innovation Hub aims to make expertise and financing available to innovative startups and businesses. The Hub is a physical space in the middle of the airport that acts as a tech showroom, conference center and general work space to support innovative projects.
Every Thursday, budding entrepreneurs use smart work stations to engage with passengers through a series of presentations in one of five business areas. To date, around 165 startups have taken advantage of the initiative.
Edward Arkwright, deputy CEO of Groupe ADP, said, “We wanted to build on the success of the first installment and replicate this initiative that is unique in the airport industry, owing to its scale and to the buy-in it has received from the startup community. Our goal now is to make this a fixture in the innovation ecosystem by expanding it to our entire network of airports abroad.
“It will be in the terminals and among the passengers at Paris-Orly, capable of hosting and nurturing innovators and serving as a meeting place to promote innovation within the airport community.
“The French commune of Saclay is a center of excellence in higher education and science and provides an exceptional ecosystem. Of course, the representatives of the Greater Orly communes will be key partners.”