Boeing India Launches BUILD to Develop Aerospace Entrepreneurs
The program offers university students, faculty and budding entrepreneurs opportunities to incubate ideas, and access Boeing’s innovation ecosystem
The global defence and aerospace major Boeing on May 20 announced the launch of the Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) programme for university students, faculty and early stage start-ups. According to the company, the BUILD programme will help innovators convert their ideas into viable business offerings that have the potential to shape the future of Indian aerospace and defence.
Under the programme, the ideas in the fields of aerospace, autonomous vehicles, advanced manufacturing, augmented and virtual reality, analytics (artificial intelligence and machine learning), materials, robotics and the Internet of Things can be submitted by the applicants.
The president, Boeing India, Salil Gupte, said about BUILD, “Boeing is committed to nurturing innovation and skill development in India. We believe that a close partnership with India’s academia and growing entrepreneurial ecosystem has the potential to reimagine the future of aerospace for the world. With BUILD, we are creating a platform for students and entrepreneurs to not only benefit from our vast experience and partner networks, but also develop their ideas into path-breaking innovations.”
Boeing has partnered with seven incubators – IIT Delhi, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IISc Bangalore, T-Hub Hyderabad and KIIT Bhubaneshwar – to select finalists for the BUILD boot camps. The shortlisted teams will compete at a regional level and the finalists will then pitch their ideas to a selection panel of subject-matter experts on Boeing Innovation Day, to be held in September 2019. The winners will stand a chance to win cash prizes. All through the programme, Boeing mentors and industry experts will interact with the finalists to refine ideas and develop their entrepreneurial skills.
Over the years, Boeing has strategically invested in developing talent for the Indian aerospace sector. Boeing, through its programmes such as the HorizonX India Innovation Challenge and the Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Apprenticeship, has made a significant impact in creating a skilled frontline workforce and empowered entrepreneurs in India.
The company is inviting interested students and entrepreneurs who can apply to the BUILD programme by visiting www.boeing.co.in/build. The deadline for the submissions is 10 June 2019.