The Airport Authority announced seven companies: Airtrek Robotics, Antrum, Enspired Solutions, Flox, Hangar Safe, IonDynamics Energy, and Tiami Networks, to receive more than $220,000 in grant funding through the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship, or FLITE
It’s a first-of-its-kind program in the aviation industry, providing grant funding and pilot testing opportunities to companies focused on bringing emerging air travel technologies and solutions to market.
The seven companies in this round are developing technologies such as autonomous robots that detect debris on airport ramp space, technology to remove PFAS from water, solutions to mitigate bird and wildlife strikes, and communication and software systems.
The companies will pilot test their technologies at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport this fall and winter.
The grants are in partnership with Avflight Grand Rapids Corporation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines and the West Michigan Aviation Academy
