Airbus launches second edition of “Entaliq in KSA”

 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 programme 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 KSA,” said Fouad Attar, Head of Airbus Commercial Africa and Middle East. “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.

“Airbus is committed to working with its partners in KSA to inspire and support the nation’s young generation to support the supply chain of the industry in the country.  This programme provides the most talented entrepreneurs in KSA with exposure to the industry’s greatest minds to enable them to pursue their goals. We look forward to helping the gifted people of this nation to turn their pioneering ideas into reality once again.”

Gen. 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 talented entrepreneurs of Saudi Arabia.”

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 programme, Rockwell Collins, Altran and Qotuf, to convert their ideas into reality and Airbus will support the process through its industrialisation 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.

“We are delighted to be an incubating partner for the second edition of Entaliq. As a global leader in engineering and R&D services, we are dedicated to innovating the products and services of tomorrow. Supporting and developing youth forms an integral part of our commitment to transforming the sectors in which we work and we are delighted to be working with talented young people in the KSA to ensure that their ideas receive the support that they need to take them to the next level.” Sébastien Renouard, Group Vice-President, AeroSpaceDefense & Railway.

Mohannad Alnabulsi, Acting CEO at Qotuf said: “Parallel to the goals of Vision 2030, Qotuf under the SME Authority umbrella affirms its thrust in promoting creative economy and paving ways to encourage startups and SMEs in the country. We celebrate diversity, innovation, and sustainable development that have been the core ideals in every project, event, and conference we proudly organize.

“Supporting the SMEs comes in the forefront as we proudly collaborate with experts and professionals in the field of knowledge transfer, innovation technology, and overall development of economy, such as Entaliq program. Our specialized initiatives seek to encourage youth engagement in innovation sectors, creation of employment, and stability and diversification of Saudi Arabia's economic activities,” added Alnabulsi.

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 programme’s community partners such as Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) and Aviation Australia Riyadh College. 

The programme 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).

Airbus continues to support the diversification of the KSA by developing more STEM-related partnerships designed to drive the future expansion of the aviation industry nationally and regionally, whilst supporting the nation’s youth to grow the Kingdom’s human capital capabilities.