Starburst Aerospace Took Part in Start-Me-Up at The 54th International Paris Air Show

Starburst Aerospace is honored to have contributed to Start-Me-Up, the startup innovation showcase at the 54th edition of the International Paris Air Show (SIAE 2023), hosted in Paris, France, from June 19 to June 25, 2023.

Organized by the SIAE, a subsidiary of GIFAS – Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales, and hosted at the Le Bourget Parc des Expositions, the exhibition and show is the largest aerospace event for global players and stakeholders interested in the latest trends and innovations in the industry.

SIAE 2023 enabled participants to meet up with the biggest industry majors in the aeronautic and space ecosystem, seize fresh commercial opportunities, explore new ideas, present their expertise and innovations to the world, and form technological and industrial partnerships.

This year, there were 2,500 exhibitors from 46 countries, including 300 startups from 21 countries, 150 aircraft on site, and about $150 billion worth of contracts were signed.

As one of the leading aerospace and defense accelerators in the world, dedicated to supporting next-gen A&D startups and connecting them with the industry’s key players, Starburst showcased a wide range of our portfolio startups from our global 12-month Flagship Accelerator and shorter Programmatic Accelerators: IDDK, AERIX SYSTEMS, Sirius Space Services, Red 6, StatInf, Limatech , Arkane-Tech, Latitude, SYLPHAERO, HyPrSpace, Delfox, Aviathor, SpaceBlocs, DISAITEK, ColibrITD, Miratlas, RISE, Magellanic, Aletiq, ZeroAvia, Destinus, CAPS, SpaceLocker, Constellation Technologies & Operations, Windlair, & PROMÉTHÉE NewSpace

Thanks to the SIAE and as part of the Start-Me-Up initiative, which brought together more than 300 space, aviation, and defense startups, Starburst Aerospace played a role in organizing the zone and showcasing the potential of disruptive solutions in the aerospace industry. Through a series of engaging discussions, thought-provoking roundtables, and networking events at both the Start-Me-Up booth or at the Chalet Région Ile de France, Starburst exemplified its commitment to driving innovation and collaboration within the industry.

Here are some of our key takeaways from the week:

Aviation: Decarbonization is finally taking center stage. There have been many promises and updates on the progress of electric propulsion (hydrogen + batteries), particularly at the regional level in France; however, these forward-thinking plans have to fully materialize given the ambitious timeline and current maturity of the technology (i.e., with regards to hydrogen storage). 

The potential of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) has increased exponentially, but SAFs alone will not be enough to meet the 1.5°C CO2 reduction target, given current and projected production capacity.

Space: The NewSpace economy, driven by an emphasis on the commercialization of space exploration, looks at new market spaces that have yet to be fully explored or pursued. The momentum continues, with growing interest in Space Situational Awareness (SSA) (from organizations like LookUp, Share My Space, and Helix) and space propulsion.

The materiality of these new markets is unclear, but the ambition is promising and we foresee potential consolidation over the next 2-3 years, as the market probably won’t be big enough for the wide range of players. We believe that, in the long term, only one or two champions per country will emerge, given the importance of the public market in this field.

Defense: Innovation is key to staying competitive, especially in the field of defense. In terms of defense capabilities, the ability to deliver is top of mind for all stakeholders. The war economy is driving demand, and the primes are at full capacity. At the same time, the growing presence and advancement of disruptive emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity are stimulating competition and rapidly accelerating the pace of innovation. We see this as a positive change, driving the industry to take risks and move away from a demand-driven government paradigm.

Collaborations between startups and the government can play a critical role. By working together, startups can access the funding and resources needed to develop and scale their ideas, while the government can benefit from the technologies, agility and expertise of startups to maintain competitiveness and advance national security objectives in the ever-evolving world of defense technology.

Here are some underlying trends that are impacting the A&D sector: 

Looking For a New Generation of Talent: The aerospace and defense (A&D) industry is currently experiencing a major talent shortage. To address this challenge, companies need to transform their employees’ value proposition and offer diversified career opportunities. We see innovation as a key lever for attracting critical skills such as software development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and more.

Startups Driving Growth for A&D: Startups and emerging players (like Destinus and TURGIS ET GAILLARD GROUPE) made a strong showing on the static stand and in the halls at this year’s air show, demonstrating that startups will play a key role in stimulating innovation across the ecosystem and challenging Primes over the long term.

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Thought-Provoking Roundtable Discussions: At the heart of the Paris Air Show, the Chalet Région Ile de France served as a hub for insightful roundtable discussions. Distinguished industry experts including Alexandra Dublanche (Chalet Région Ile de France), Wendy Carrara (Airbus), Laure Boyer (CNES), Christelle Astorg-Lepine (Managing Director of Starburst France) and Aya Aïdoumi (Becomtech) addressed significant challenges faced by women in the aerospace industry, emphasizing the importance of gender diversity and equal opportunities in the sector. The panelists shared about their first-hand experiences, insights, and initiatives aimed at empowering women and fostering diversity in the space.

There were discussions about the exploration of hydrogen as a viable solution for more sustainable and eco-friendly aviation. Panelists from Destinus, the DGAC (Directorate General for Civil Aviation) (France), and HYNOLOGY provided valuable perspectives on the potential of hydrogen as a game-changing technology in achieving environmental sustainability within the aerospace industry. These conversations shed light on the ongoing efforts to drive positive change and reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.

Starburst also had the pleasure of hosting a roundtable focusing on the future of mobility in aerospace, which delved into the wide range of potential innovative solutions and advancements. The panel was orchestrated by Benjamin Pavie (Accelerator Principal at Starburst France) and included industry experts Théophile Lagraulet (SpaceLocker), Thomas Hiriart (Ion-X), and Kohei Yoshioka (IDDK).

A second roundtable discussion, hosted by Lukas Oberfhofer (Managing Director of Starburst Germany), focused on new mobility trends by 2030-2050. The panelists, Max Najork (Data Machine Intelligence), Sebastian Vaeridion (Vaeridion), Thibault Baldivia (Ascendance Flight Technologies), Paul Perera (Fluxart), and Lucas Marchesini (Manta Aircraft), shed light on emerging trends and technologies in the aerospace industry.

Showcasing Promising Startups: Starburst provided an invaluable platform for promising startups to present their unique solutions through a Starburst European Selection Committee, hosted at the Chalet Région Ile de France. Four pre-selected startups, Vanellus, SPAICE, SensusQ, and Volant Autonomy, pitched their solutions and products to a distinguished audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and aerospace experts to be in the running to join our Flagship Accelerator program and the Starburst portfolio. This opportunity not only offered valuable exposure but also opened doors for potential collaborations, fostering innovation and momentum within the industry.

The 54th Paris Air Show provided a powerful platform for Starburst to showcase its dedication to transforming the industry and shaping a more sustainable and interconnected future. Starburst is set to continue its international presence by returning as the Association Partner for the 2023 Dubai Airshow‘s VISTA startup showcase, from November 13 – 17, 2023. Learn more about the collaboration: www.bit.ly/3Dc0V9A