Airbus the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer, in partnership with TAQNIA Aeronautics and Saudi Arabian Airlines, has launched the second edition of the Aviation Innovation Challenge, Entaliq.

Started in September 2016, the initiative represents a nationwide hunt for the most talented creative minds in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, challenging them to advance the national aviation sector by innovating solutions to current industry challenges. The program is specifically tailored to inspire and support entrepreneurs who possess an idea or business model in the start-up phase.

“We are delighted to launch the second edition of Entaliq in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Innovation is entwined with Airbus’ DNA and we are always considering new ways to further improve and enhance our industry.  If you have a good idea, whether it’s big or small, we want to hear from you,” said Fouad Attar, Head of Airbus Commercial Africa and Middle East.

General Ali Alghamdi, CEO of TAQNIA Aeronautics, said: “As the KSA continues to diversify its economy in line with Vision 2030, innovation has never been more important. We are delighted to once again join our strategic partners to develop an ecosystem in the KSA that supports knowledge transfer, innovative technology and related aviation disciplines. We were extremely impressed by the high standard of applications and capabilities of Saudi talents in last year’s challenge and we look forward to guiding and cultivating this year’s applicants, on what is sure to be another successful edition of the Entaliq program”.

Mr. Abdulrahman Altayeb, Vice President Corporate Communications, at Saudi Arabian Airlines, said: “We are delighted to welcome the second edition of the Entaliq program. Many of the concepts presented in last year’s competition had the potential to make important developments to the aviation industry and we look forward to receiving more innovative ideas from the Saudi talented entrepreneurs”.

The initiative consists of several webinars and workshops to assist applicants with their innovations across a number of science and technology disciplines.  The top ten candidates will receive mentoring sessions over a period of two weeks with some of the most renowned experts and professionals in the fields of aeronautics and aerospace. 

Each of the final three finalists will receive an incubation opportunity with incubating partners of the program, Rockwell Collins, Altran and Qotuf, to convert their ideas into reality and Airbus will support the process through its industrialization facilities.

“Rockwell Collins is proud to participate in the Entaliq program and have the chance to welcome more young Saudi graduates to help us grow our existing team in Saudi Arabia, in line with its Vision 2030,” said Cyrille Koroleff, Country Director for Rockwell Collins in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The top three candidates from the second edition of Entaliq will be announced during an awards ceremony in June, 2018.  Hosted by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), the event, which will be held in Riyadh, will honor the initiative’s winners and the pioneering ideas of all participants.  The initiative’s strategic and incubating partners will attend the event in addition to the program’s community partners such as Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) and Aviation Australia Riyadh College. 

The program is directly aligned with the KSA’s ambitious ‘Vision 2030’ innovation strategy that promotes the sustainable growth of the nation’s aviation industry by cultivating and accelerating entrepreneurship in the aerospace sector. Vision 2030 also aims to guide the development of diversified knowledge-based economy by equipping the nation’s youth with the skills and opportunities that they need to flourish, particularly in the fields of Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).