From Tech to Deep Tech

Airbus,
Industry Partner
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The “start-up 2 partner” team within Airbus
Corporate Innovation is looking to build
successful partnerships with SMEs in
selected domains. It aims to support startups
working on new developments in
a number of industries in becoming valuable
business partners through a collaborative
approach. The idea is that these partnerships
will of course benefit both the start-ups
and Airbus.
Embedded within the company, the team is
highly connected to the business and bridges
the gap by leveraging a dedicated approach
with start-ups. It can facilitate de-risking
and acceleration of the start-up’s technology
using the company’s own prototyping
spaces and expertise. These relationships
provide new ideas internally and add
external capabilities. Moreover “start-up 2
partner” allows start-ups access to a global
network of airlines, suppliers and selected
partners. Internally, it also promotes new,
more flexible ways of working thanks to its
exposure to an entrepreneurial culture.
The start-ups and Airbus businesses work as
partners rather than adopting a pure capital
investment approach. So how does this work,
in real terms? The “start-up 2 partner” team
begins by identifying start-ups that show
high growth high business potential. The
team steers the project from ideation to
implementation setting up a cross-functional
team of dedicated experts and applying
an agile approach. The success of a project
depends on the early engagement of a
sponsor to ensure buy-in from the business.
Since its creation in 2014, the “start-up 2
partner” team has screened an impressive
600+ start-ups, elaborated 30 projects
and currently has 10 partnerships in the
portfolio.
The team recently collaborated with a
Canadian company that was looking to apply
a disruptive nanomaterial technology for
cockpit windshields to prevent laser attacks
coming from individuals on the ground.
The solution has now been introduced to
selected airlines to accelerate its entry into
the market and Airbus’ intends to offer it as
line-fit and retrofit option.
Butagaz,
Industry Partner
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Established in 1931, Butagaz is a major
French player in propane and butane gas
distribution, and the only one in France to
own a research and innovation center. A team
of engineers and technicians test, create and
invent solutions to better meet its customer’s
needs. Butagaz provides innovative gas
solutions for individuals, communities and
businesses. Butagaz has been developing
since 2015 a start-up accelerator program,
Zagatub, focused on smart and innovative
comfort. Butagaz is part of DCC Energy
Group, the largest and most active suppliers
of LPG in Europe, providing the highest
levels of innovation and services across
Europe. In addition to LPG, DCC Energy
now supplies Natural Gas, LNG, Aerosol gas
and renewable energies such as solar and
biomass.
Carrefour,
Industry Partner
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Carrefour Group is the leading retailer in
Europe and the second-largest retailer in the
world, employing more than 380,000 people
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