Monday, March 15, 2021 — ATLANTIC AND CAPE MAY COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY

The Smart Airport and Aviation Partnership (SAAP), a central player in the emerging Southern New Jersey aviation hub, is hosting the 2021 cohort of its business Aviation Accelerator known as “flightPlan.”

Applications will be accepted March 15 through April 15, and the program will be conducted between June and August. To apply online, click here.

For seven selected companies, flightPlan will provide a three-month review of core business competencies along with intensive work on leadership development, teaming skills, commercialization, and growth strategies. Given COVID-19 constraints, the 2021 flightPlan experience will be conducted virtually, with two group meetings and one individual meeting weekly.

Program features include:

• Courses, workshops, and personalized mentoring by aviation and business experts, addressing the challenges of starting, operating and sustaining an agile and innovative company;
• Customized development of effective company pitches and other presentations, with meaningful exposure to public and private funding opportunities, including the tech investor community; and
• Interaction with aviation leaders, including leaders at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center in Southern New Jersey.

The Accelerator was established through a Regional Innovation Strategies Grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to a public-private group that includes Atlantic County, Cape May County, the Atlantic County Economic Alliance, the National Aviation Research and Technology Park, and leading members of the aviation industry. It also includes regional academic institutions with aviation programs.
Together, the group is building an aviation ecosystem in Southern New Jersey.

“Given an opportunity to know our regional aviation experts and to experience the quality of our approach to aviation issues and growth, new companies often want to put down roots here,” said Carole Mattessich, the SAAP Director. “They can work with the best while living at the beach.”

Last year’s cohort companies have raised more than $2M in grants and funding. flightPlan leaders continue to work with cohort members even after graduation.

Applicants may be from any aviation-related company (including Unmanned Aerial Systems or “drone” enthusiasts) showing promise ofcreating or enhancing aviation-related technologies. SAAP is particularly enthusiastic about Smart Airport technologies but encourage proposals of all types.

At the program’s conclusion, companies will present their company’s strong points and growth strategy to a group of industry leaders, investors, and the FAA. Graduates also remain eligible to apply for aviation research grants.

For more information about SAAP and to apply online, please visit smartaviation.nianet.org.