In a remarkable showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship, ENAIRE, Spain’s national air navigation service provider, recently celebrated the winners of its fourth edition of the Business Ideas Competition. This initiative is part of ENAIRE’s broader commitment to fostering open innovation and enhancing airspace management through fresh, creative solutions.
The competition is not just a standalone event; it is part of a series of initiatives launched by ENAIRE and its Research and Development subsidiary, CRIDA. These initiatives include the Competition for Technological Challenges and the Acceleration Competition for Startups, all designed to attract innovative talent and create a thriving ecosystem around air traffic management. Each competition targets different levels of maturity in ideas, ensuring a comprehensive approach to innovation.
During the awards ceremony, Mariluz de Mateo, ENAIRE’s Director of Strategy and Innovation, expressed pride in the competition’s impact. She noted that many entrepreneurs who participated in previous editions have successfully developed their ideas into viable start-ups, underscoring the competition’s role in transforming concepts into reality.
The Business Ideas Competition aims to empower undergraduates, doctoral students, professors, and aspiring entrepreneurs by providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to turn their ideas into successful businesses. The competition unfolds in two phases, with the first phase featuring a rigorous selection process that culminates in a three-month incubation period for the finalists.
During this incubation phase, the five selected finalists receive extensive training and mentoring. They participate in eight training sessions focused on essential aspects of business model development, alongside eight hours of specialized mentoring from ENAIRE professionals. This structured support is designed to help participants refine their ideas and develop robust business plans.
Among the standout projects recognized in this year’s competition was the first prize winner, AVAM, a multimodal travel assistance app developed by Javier Alberto Pérez Castán. This innovative mobile application aims to centralize all travel-related information, transforming a traditionally fragmented process into a seamless, integrated service. For this achievement, Pérez Castán was awarded €5,000.
The second prize went to Aero-Trail Guard, a project by Adrián López Grande. This initiative focuses on a pre-tactical satellite validation and MRV certification system designed to enhance the accuracy of contrail detection using real-time satellite imagery and advanced convolutional neural networks. For this groundbreaking work, López Grande received €3,000.
Third place was awarded to AeroInfra Smart, a digital platform created by Artemio García Rivero. This platform automates the management of aeronautical safeguarding and air navigation impact studies, making the process more efficient and accurate. García Rivero was recognized with a €1,000 prize.
The fourth prize was claimed by AEQUILIBRIUM, a project by Erik Cedro Zamolojko. This idea explores the potential of algorithmic intelligence to harmonize dynamic separation in high-density mixed-mode operations at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport. For this innovative concept, Zamolojko received €500.
Lastly, the fifth prize was awarded to ATC Memory, developed by Luna Hurtado Nogueras. This predictive assistant aims to analyze air traffic control decisions in relation to various factors, providing non-binding recommendations to support controllers. Hurtado Nogueras also received €500 for her contribution.
Following the incubation phase, the project that demonstrates the most viable business model will receive an additional €5,000 and an invitation to develop a proof of concept. This proof of concept stage offers further financial incentives, including an additional €10,000 divided into two milestones: one for successful completion of the proof of concept and another for establishing a company to commercialize the concept.
CRIDA, the non-profit economic interest group behind these initiatives, collaborates closely with ENAIRE, the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), and Ingeniería y Economía del Transporte, S.A. (INECO). Together, they work to enhance the efficiency of Spain’s air traffic management system through innovative R&D projects, identifying challenges and proposing effective solutions that contribute to the global advancement of air navigation.
