Swinburne University’s Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub has launched a prototyping program for aerospace startups to address a critical gap in prototype funding in Australia.
Dubbed “AIR Pass”, the program will offer up to $50,000 of startup team “focus-on-mission” funding and up to $150,000 of prototype support over six months for successful applicants to work with the AIR Hub team to design, build, construct, test, analyse and demonstrate aerospace prototypes to their customers.
Director of Swinburne’s AIR Hub, Dr Adriano Di Pietro, said AIR Pass would help Australian startups and SMEs achieve proof of concept and prototypes in order to launch into the international aerospace market.
“Startups, SMEs and venture-backed entities will work together on aerospace challenges where only large multi-nationals used to have a chance, but they need support to do so,” Dr Di Pietro said.
“We’re channeling Australia’s unmatched startup culture, giving applicants with strong and sustainable growth ambitions and a passion for advancing the aviation and aerospace entrepreneurial ecosystem $150,000 of support over six months to design, build, construct, test, analyse and demonstrate prototypes to their customers.
“We’re looking for startups and SMEs who can be the world’s best at the thing that they do; think efficient electric motors or low power radar tech.”
The aerospace sector in Australia is crucial to maintaining the country’s connectedness as a large island nation. Startups are already developing cutting-edge technology such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and advanced air mobility (AAM). This growth will be accelerated by AIR Pass.
Dr Di Pietro invites early-stage businesses searching for prototyping and technical help for a demo, trial, or pilot program with their first or next customer to apply for the program.
“Australia’s tech-rich future economy needs a startup eco-system to be nurtured and matured to help create the next generation expert tech jobs and growth,” he continued.
“AIR Pass is taking the lead for aerospace, right when startups and SMEs need it most—as they face real costs to prove the concept and create a working prototype.”
Swinburne offers access to some of Australia’s most highly motivated technical entrepreneurs and specialists, as well as a thriving support ecosystem. According to Dr Di Pietro, AIR Hub already collaborates with Boeing, Quickstep, and other large companies and SMEs on aerospace and aviation projects.
“We hope AIR Pass will discover the next group of startups and SMEs to become champions of the industry, launching the moonshots and missions for further growth and technology benefits for our society and planet,” he concluded.
Applications for the 2022 program are now open.
