The Smart Airport and Aviation Partnership (SAAP), a central\nplayer in the emerging Southern New Jersey aviation hub, has selected seven\ncompanies to participate in the inaugural cohort of flightPlan, the Aviation\nAccelerator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The six-week flightPlan Accelerator program will include\npersonalized mentoring by aviation and business experts, interaction with\naviation leaders, and custom courses and workshops that address the challenges\nof starting, operating and sustaining a company. The Accelerator also will\nprovide participants with funding strategy guidance and opportunities,\nincluding pitch development and amplified exposure to the tech investor\ncommunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
SAAP was established through a Regional Innovation\nStrategies Grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to the\nAtlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA). It is administered by the National\nInstitute of Aerospace (NIA), a renowned aviation leader headquartered in\nHampton, Virginia. The purpose of the partnership is to transform Southern New\nJersey\u2019s innovation ecosystem by incubating, accelerating and attracting new\naviation-related businesses into a high-tech cluster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the program\u2019s conclusion, participants will pitch their\nventures at a regional \u201cInnovation Forum\u201d at the FAA dedicated to cohort\ngraduates. Graduates also will be eligible to apply for grants for performing\nFAA-approved research during summer 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first cohort includes a large complement of companies\nworking with technologies related to Unmanned Aerial Systems (\u201cUAS,\u201d or\n\u201cdrones\u201d). The cohort members, listed in alphabetical order, will be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
AeroDefense – Holmdel, New Jersey <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This counter-UAS company has a patented drone detection\nsystem that locates drones and pilots through Radio Frequency (RF) signals,\nalerts appropriate emergency management personnel, and offers flexible\ndeployment options. The company has the unique Department of Homeland Security\nSAFETY Act Developmental Testing and Evaluation Designation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arke Aeronautics \u2013 Mount Laurel, New Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Arke Aeronautics has developed a life-saving Situational\nIntelligence Platform for First Responders that gives quick access to\ninformation needed to arrive at an emergency faster, respond more effectively\nand save lives. The company\u2019s three founders met while students at Rowan\nUniversity. In their words, they \u201cshare a deep passion for improving the world\nwith technology.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cellular Tracking Industries\u2013 Rio Grande, New Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Though a young company,Cellular Tracking Industries is\nalready a global leader in wildlife telemetry, creating tracking devices with\npinpoint GPS accuracy that transmit over the cellular network. Its\nsolar-powered radio tags need no batteries and can be received by a global\nnetwork through the company\u2019s SensorStation product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Geomatix\u2013 Bordentown, New Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Geomatix offers precision aerial mapping, 3-D modeling and\nremote sensing solutions for professional surveying, civil engineering, environmental\/ecological,\nreal estate and construction sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hummingbird Release \u2013 Cape May, New Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Founded by an aviation innovator, this company delivers\naerial release of cremains via specially equipped drones that customize and\ndocument the release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00c2\u00a0Reign Maker \u2013 New York City, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reign Maker has\nenjoyed over 30 contracts globally with government agencies and engineering\nfirms, operating and adapting drones, sensors and robotic devices for\nengineering, inspection and asset management projects. Its patent-pending\nfilings address AI-hybrid data acquisition methodology and a mission-planning\nsoftware used for inspecting vertical structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n SkyScape Industries\u2013 Manahawkin, New Jersey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now an American Aerospace subsidiary, SkyScape Industries is\na remote sensing company specializing in using small unmanned aircraft systems\n(sUAS) for critical infrastructure applications. Using advanced sensors,\naircraft and workflows, the company provides products and services that it\nhopes will revolutionize safety, effectiveness and visibility in aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carole Mattessich, SAAP Executive Director remarked, \u201cEach\nof these applicants show great promise of creating or enhancing\naviation-related technologies and applications. FlightPlan will provide more\nthan just a kick-start for those aspirations. We\u2019ll challenge participants to\ndeeply examine areas such as their business model and outreach efforts –\nperhaps even the possibility of making major business pivots to meet current\nmarkets – all with the aim of becoming their best selves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Doug Stanley, President and Executive Director of NIA\nstated, \u201cI would like to thank the U.S. Economic Development Administration and\nthe leadership of Atlantic and Cape May Counties for making this grant\npossible. The NIA is looking forward to doing everything in our power to make\nthese companies successful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Currently, SAAP plans to hold the flightPlan Accelerator\nfrom early May through mid-June. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this time\nframe could change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n