Business Factory Aero (BFAero), a Xunta de Galicia program that fosters incubation, acceleration and consolidation of companies specialised in the aerospace industry and unmanned aerial vehicles, launches its fifth edition. BFAero is a benchmark in Europe in open and disruptive innovation within the sector and strives to boost the aerospace technology ecosystem with an international focus.

The fifth edition of BFAero consolidates Xunta de Galicia's commitment to innovation and talent retention by supporting impact initiatives for the aerospace ecosystem and society as a whole. The call for entrepreneurs, startups and companies from around the world to submit their proposals is open until July 19.

BFAero will host three projects in the incubation phase for 12 months, five in the acceleration phase for eight months to mature their business model, and three in the consolidation phase for six months to raise funding and internationalise.

The four previous editions of BFAero have seen the participation of 30 projects with applications in the environment, agri-food, infrastructure, maritime and health sectors. According to Marián Tallón, manager of the CEL Foundation and head of BFAero, “Ecosystem, synergies, financing and market launch. That, for me, encompasses the accelerator”.

BFAero is not only a unique opportunity to accelerate the growth of projects and companies, but also strives to become a catalyst for the transformation of the aerospace industry.

Selected participants will have the opportunity to develop and bring their innovative ideas to life, take advantage of state-of-the-art facilities and access a network of key contacts in a constantly evolving industry. In addition, they will be supported by expert mentors from companies such as Indra, Airbus, Telespazio and Avincis, access to funding and get the opportunity to network with key investors and leaders in an ever-evolving industry.

Aerospace Hub of Galicia

BFAero is developed within the framework of the Civil UAVs Initiative (CUI) led by the Xunta de Galicia. It is a trailblazing strategic initiative in Europe created to develop innovative solutions in the field of unmanned vehicles and systems industry.

Its key objective is to provide innovative solutions and products with a view to improving the provision of public services, to make them more modern and efficient, and to set up a technological innovation hub in the aerospace unmanned aerial vehicle segment.

This initiative involves more than 80 agents such as universities, technology and innovation centres and companies such as Indra, Airbus, Telespazio and Avincis, among others, which has made it possible to generate and consolidate an extensive innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the aerospace industry.

The Civil UAVs Initiative has led to the creation of an innovation ecosystem capable of generating new ideas and attracting and retaining highly-qualified and specialised human capital in Galicia.