Grants worth over $220,000 to be given to aviation companies to propel technologies and solutions

Credit: Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority

Seven companies will receive over $220,000 of grant funding via the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE). The FLITE initiative is given by The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority (GFIAA), in collaboration with Avflight Grand Rapids Corporation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines and the West Michigan Aviation Academy.

“FLITE continues to serve as a leading platform for new technologies in the aviation industry, and we are proud to welcome seven new companies to the program to test their innovative solutions,” said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of the GFIAA. “We are grateful to our partners and participating companies for their dedication to identifying solutions that elevate the guest experience and further enhance airport operations.”

What is FLITE and what companies have been selected?

FLITE focuses on propelling the transformation of aviation by providing grant funding and pilot testing opportunities to companies focused on bringing emerging air travel technologies and solutions to market. The seven companies receiving grants are:

• Airtrek Robotics: Enhances air travel safety through autonomous robots that detect debris on airport ramp space and more.
• Antrum: Specialises in demand-controlled ventilation to promote safety and sustainability in commercial buildings.
• Enspired Solutions: Implements technology to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water.
• Flox: Develops and deploys autonomous solutions designed to mitigate bird and wildlife strikes, enhancing aircraft safety.
• Hangar Safe: Applies innovative technology to support aircraft safety.
• IonDynamics Energy: Utilises hardware and AI-powered software solutions to deliver efficient and sustainable energy ecosystems.
• Tiami Networks: Advances wireless communication through Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), generative AI and resilient communication systems.

“For us, FLITE represents an exciting opportunity to bring our cutting-edge wildlife management technology to the U.S. market,” said Kristoffer Ohlsson, chief commercial officer at Flox. “Partnering with the Ford International Airport through this program allows us to showcase the effectiveness of our solutions in enhancing airport safety.

“We’re thrilled to contribute to Michigan’s innovation ecosystem and look forward to growing our presence here.”