The SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) has joined forces with the European Startup Prize for Mobility (EUSP), an EU-founded acceleration programme for sustainable mobility startups, to launch a dedicated prize on air mobility. The ‘Future Skies’ prize aims to recognise startups that are generating creative solutions for smarter and more sustainable flying.

Now in its fourth edition, the prize was kicked off on 30 September in Tallinn, Estonia, at which Europe’s political and business leaders jointly invited startups to apply. Speakers included Maros Sefcovic, European Commission Vice-President, and Karima Delli, Chair of the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee and President of the European Startup Prize for Mobility.

This is the second time that the SESAR JU has partnered with the prize but the first time that a prize category has been dedicated to air mobility. Startups will have until 30 November to apply for the special prize, proposing solutions related to all aspects of air mobility, from the air vehicles (including drones) and alternative fuels, to composite materials and smart air traffic management. Also welcome are startups from other traffic management sectors with applications that could be implemented potentially in the air sector (e.g. micro mobility).

"It is the first time since its creation that the European Startup Prize for Mobility has faced such an urgent challenge of both enabling green innovation to fight climate change and supporting its European innovators in a post-crisis world,” said Ms Delli.

"In that regard, joining forces with the SESAR JU this year is a tremendous asset for the startups to boost their business and for Europe to build up the largest ecosystem for green innovation,” she added.

“The SESAR JU is proud to support the 2021 edition of the EU Startup Prize for Mobility. European startups are important sources of innovation and accelerators of change across many industries, including aviation and air mobility. That makes them uniquely placed to help us deliver smarter and more sustainable air travel and transportation,” said Richard Frizon, SESAR JU Executive Director ad interim, who was speaking at the opening ceremony.

The ‘Future Skies’ prize winner will be announced at a ceremony in March 2022. The contestants in the future skies category will be invited to further engagement opportunities with the SESAR JU and/or its members. They will also be in with a chance to win the overall prize of mentorship with the Boston Consulting Group, and gain valuable technical insights from the SESAR JU.

We encourage all new players to apply for the awards. This is your opportunity to be recognised for your work and hopefully make new connections along the way.