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Donal Brady, CEO of the DCU Ryan Academy
Donal Brady, CEO of the DCU Ryan Academy

Propeller Shannon accelerator to boost growth in the Shannon region

Propeller Shannon, Ireland’s only start-up programme for companies in the aviation and travel tech sectors, is pleased to announce the arrival of its second cohort of firms. These companies are taking their inaugural flight in this innovative accelerator programme with a view to completing their mission by June 2019. The programme is designed to assist with the development of young companies in the aviation, aerospace and travel-tech industries, with a focus on boosting growth and creating jobs in the Shannon region. Partnering on the programme are the Irish Aviation Authority, Boeing HorizonX and Datalex, and supported by Enterprise Ireland, Shannon Group’s International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) and DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurs.

200 companies from 40 countries applied for the programme, and following a robust selection process, which included a full pitch day in front of over 50 industry experts at the IAA training facilities in Shannon, 12 companies were chosen to take part. The selected startups will be provided with early-stage capital; office space at the Gateway Hub in Shannon Airport; mentoring; training; high-level networking opportunities and the opportunity to pitch at the international Future Travel Experience conference in Istanbul in June.

The successful startups in the second cohort of the Propeller Shannon are from a range of traveltech and aviation niches, and feature companies and entrepreneurs from the USA, India, Estonia, Poland, Sweden, Chile, the UAE, Spain, the UK and, of course, Ireland.

These include:

Airside Management – airport wildlife deterrent technology.

Countalytics – on-board inventory management through image recognition and machine learning.

DoTrotter – Travel Community that allows people to travel the world by using their talents.

Drone Consultants – provide innovative search and rescue UAV’s.

Flightbuddy – delivers immediate flight information to passengers, ground operations and airline staff.

Navifly – an air traffic control technology for drones.

OneAire – uses big data to help airlines enhance their maintenance processes.

S-MAN – enhances security of employees and individuals when abroad.

Trift - Machine learning platform allowing travellers to book experiential trips curated by travellers from around the world

TrustaBit – innovative flight disruption solution which enhances passenger experience.

Walkabit – allows users to earn while visiting landmarks and using daily-life services like restaurants, taxis or events.

Wanda Maps - makes personalised travel easy by letting you discover, pin, and share trip ideas on a map.

Donal Brady, Chief Executive of the DCU Ryan Academy commented on the cohort’s arrival:

“We’re excited by the response to the second Propeller Shannon Accelerator, the quality of startups made the selection process all the harder, Mr Brady said.  We’re delighted the programme has been recognised as the ‘go-to’ accelerator for travel tech and aviation startups, as evidenced by applications from Nepal to USA and from Iceland to Australia.”

Peter Kearney, Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority said:

“We are proud to support the Propeller programme and to provide funding to these innovative aviation start-ups.  The IAA, with its central role in the aviation sector in Ireland continues to work to support the growth and development of the sector, supporting jobs, innovation and ambition.   This second phase of the programme provides a further boost to the mid-west region and fits well with our commitment to maintaining our position as a leading investor in innovation in the Irish aviation industry.”

Joe Healy, HPSU Divisional Manager, Enterprise Ireland, said:

“The Shannon Propeller Accelerator programme aims to leverage on our strong international reputation as an aviation hub and our world class start-up eco-system to allow businesses in this specialised and innovative sector to build scale and succeed globally. The sector is an important contributor to our economic growth and this Accelerator is uniquely positioned to provide essential support for start-ups in the sector. Enterprise Ireland welcomes the successful uptake and interest in the programme and will continue to provide support to the companies who take part as they take their first steps towards commercialisation."

About Propeller Shannon

Shannon group’s International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) and DCU Ryan Academy for Entrepreneurs came together to create a unique Aviation and Travel Tech programme. Supported by Enterprise Ireland and The Irish Aviation Authority, the Propeller Shannon Accelerator programme will drive the growth of start-up aviation companies and participate in their success, with a goal of producing the next generation of companies of global significance.

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the Irish State agency that works with Irish enterprises to help them start, grow, innovate and win export sales in global markets. Enterprise Ireland partners with entrepreneurs, Irish businesses, and the research and investment communities to develop Ireland’s international trade, innovation, leadership and competitiveness.  In this way, we support sustainable economic growth and regional development, and help create and sustain employment in Ireland. http://www.enterprise-ireland.com

About the Irish Aviation Authority

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a commercial semi-state company employing approximately 650 people at six locations around Ireland. The IAA has three main functions: the provision of air traffic management and related services in Irish controlled airspace, the safety regulation of the civil aviation industry in Ireland and the oversight of civil aviation security in Ireland.

http://www.iaa.ie

About DCU Ryan Academy

The DCU Ryan Academy is a not-for-profit partnership between Dublin City University and the Ryan Family (Ryanair) with the objective to be the leading supporter of entrepreneurs and innovation in Ireland.  Operating from its own campus, the DCU Ryan Academy bridges the gap between academia and entrepreneurial practice through a unique partnership between Ireland’s youngest university, DCU, and the family of one of Ireland’s greatest entrepreneurs, Tony Ryan. The Ryan Academy supports a vision where entrepreneurship and innovation are recognised as key drivers of Irish business success and acts as a catalyst in helping to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set and a real focus on innovation amongst Irish SME’s, corporates, start-ups and researchers through a range of training, leadership and funding initiatives.

http://www.ryanacademy.ie

About IASC

Shannon is home to the largest aerospace and aviation cluster in Ireland, with over 60 firms and growing steadily. The Shannon aviation cluster spans the industry value chain, encompassing everything from aircraft leasing, maintenance and recycling to component manufacture, parts repair and business aviation. Shannon Group’s International Aviation Services Centre (IASC) helps these companies to develop their businesses. It also supports new entrants keen to join this growing nucleus of aerospace excellence, ensuring that Shannon remains a global centre for the aviation industry.

http://www.iasc.aero

About Boeing HorizonX

By leveraging the power of the world’s largest aerospace company, Boeing HorizonX applies its momentum to new business ventures to unlock the next generation of game-changing ideas, products, and markets. From investment capital to technology commercialization and market access, HorizonX turns new ideas and businesses into reality.

http://www.boeing.com

About Datalex

Datalex is a market leader in digital commerce for travel retailers. The Datalex Commerce Platform enables a travel marketplace of over one billion shoppers covering every corner of the globe, driven by some of the world’s most innovative airline retail brands. Its customers include Aer Lingus, Air China, Air Malta, Air Transat, Brussels Airlines, Copa Airlines, Hainan Group, HP Enterprise Services, IBM, JetBlue Airways, Lufthansa Group, Philippine Airlines, SITA, STA Travel, Swiss International Air Lines and Virgin Australia. The company is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, and maintains offices across Europe, USA and China. Datalex is a publicly listed company and is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange (ISE: DLE). http://www.datalex.com