AeroInnovate, a virtual accelerator program for early-stage aerospace ventures, is hosting at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh its second annual “Funding Your Dream” panel discussion, focused on the keys to starting and financing a successful company. The dream panel, to be held later today from 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Forum Stage 1, will feature half a dozen aerospace entrepreneurs and investors, including Bye Aerospace CEO George Bye; Aspen Avionics president and CEO John Uczekaj; and Radius Capital managing director Peter Shannon.
“We are glad to once again have the panel as the kickoff event highlighting innovation in aviation at AirVenture,” said AeroInnovate managing director Teresa Murray. The organization offers promising start-ups mentoring from industry professionals; a “pitch camp” to refine their messaging; connections to leading aerospace firms; and access to more than $1 million in discounted goods and services.
Founded at the University of Wisconsin in 2007, AeroInnovate has to date “accelerated” some 20 companies; the winner of its innovation competition last year, Vita Inclinata, has since received $6 million in a first round financing, and is now AeroInnovate’s primary supporter, taking over from the U.S. Department of Defense, whose grant supported the organization for its first decade. The organization’s sponsors include Boeing, Sikorsky, and intellectual property law firm Northwind.