A second startup incubator is located at Vienna Airport with Presto Tech Hub. This will support domestic innovations in building business models. The airport benefits from developments in the field of digitization, which are also promoted by Plug and Play.
For example, two projects that could also be of interest to passengers are currently under development. This is a technology that is intended to enable the automated control of hand luggage. A startup is also working on a luggage service. With this the luggage should be picked up from home and checked in. The opposite way should also be possible.
Vienna Airport Director Günther Ofner believes that the company he leads can benefit greatly from the innovations being developed by startups, among others in Office Park 4. He emphasizes that the innovation hub is already a complete success from today's perspective, as he receives almost daily inquiries from companies wanting to settle here. Even during the lockdown phases, interest is said to have not waned. In the Airport City, you are not only "buying" good transport links, but also good working conditions. In the startup sector, it often happens that new projects arise through lively exchanges. Put simply: the young entrepreneurs benefit from the mutual exchange of ideas.
Both representatives from Presto Tech Hub and those from Plug and Play praised the infrastructure in Airport City. So you can see further potential for new pilot projects. In total, Plug and Play currently supports 70 pitches and 500 startups at Vienna Airport. Among other things, Bespoke created a chat application that is used in the area of customer service. Vienna Airport will also use this in the future and inform passengers of the nearest restaurant, for example.
Another startup is dealing with a special baggage service under the name Airportr. Among other things, this provides that you can book a pick-up from home. The suitcases are then checked in and can be picked up from the conveyor belt at the destination. This should save travelers time in particular. Iboardings.com is currently developing a new method to enable the automatic check of hand luggage for size and weight. This is intended to protect low-cost passengers in particular from any additional payments at the gate.
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