“THE DIGITAL GATE IV: The Airport Innovation Challenge”, an innovation and youth entrepreneurship competition of Athens International Airport, in cooperation with the Athens Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ACEin) of the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), which seeks the best proposals and applications for new digital services and business activities at the airport, has been successfully completed!
Following the pilot applications, the Award Ceremony for the 4 teams that reached the final phase of the program was held on Wednesday, May 17, at The Ellinikon Experience Park. The event started with the welcome of the AIA team by Ioanna Papadopoulou, Director, Communications & Marketing, Ioannis Kolla, Director, Human Resources and Alexandros Apostolidis, ITT Manager. Afterwards, Michael Dritsas, CEO of Elevate Greece SA, spoke about the startup ecosystem and the connection of innovative ventures with established organizations.
The course of The Digital Gate program from its innovative start almost 10 years ago to the present day, as well as the image of academia and the ways in which these programs encourage people of all ages to start a business idea, were analyzed by Prof. George Doukidis, OPA, and Prof. Katerina Pramatari, Scientific Officer ACEin and Partner, Uni.Fund.
At the same time, the teams presented their business ideas and the results of their pilot applications (Proof of Concepts). Summarizing the presentations, the Wheely Eco team presented the placement in the non-Schengen area of a static bicycle that generates electricity by pedaling, while the Voice Heard team presented its application that enables people with visual disabilities to navigate inside the airport with voice instructions via NFC technology.
Furthermore, the Fancy Paws team delivered the message of creating a holistic experience for pet owners by implementing a dedicated pet relief area in the airport, while Science@Gates highlighted the importance of offering a unique educational experience to passengers through interaction with interactive exhibits at the lounge gates.
As Alexandros Ziomas, ITT Director of AIA, mentioned, the airport company’s goal is to continue to support innovative ventures and promote entrepreneurship in every way possible. At the same time, the teams announced the extension of the cooperation until the end of the year, giving the opportunity for even greater development, but also offering the public the opportunity to test all the pilot applications of innovation and youth entrepreneurship at Athens International Airport!
