InnovationQuarter and WFIA Facilitate Growth Valkenburg Airbase

The IT company AvioniCS Control Systems has recently established their business at Valkenburg Airbase in WestHolland. They chose this knowledge-intensive region for their business expansion in order to speed up their growth. HSD partners InnovationQuarter and the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA) facilitated the young company’s move and brought them in contact with supportive partners. AvioniCS will be developing and testing its autopilot systems for the aviation industry at this new location.

On Thursday, April 9, Deputy Mayor ir. Klaas Jan van der Bent of the City of Katwijk welcomed Mr. Mauro García Acero, Managing Director of AvioniCS, to Valkenburg Airbase. García Acero believes the Valkenburg Airbase is an ideal environment to test the autopilot systems: "There is plenty of space, both inside and outside, to safely fly drones. Valkenburg is a strategic location for us, close to the large cities of The Hague and Amsterdam, where many other technology companies and organizations interested in drone technology are headquartered. In addition, we noticed that a number of organizations in this Province are promoting innovation and networks. In our opinion, this is crucial in order to grow our business further."

InnovationQuarter is pleased that AvioniCS has decided to stay in the region. Mr. Philip Meyer, Account Manager - Safety & Security, at InnovationQuarter, notes that unmanned aircraft systems are currently 'hot': "There is talk of a 'Drone Valley' at Valkenburg Airbase, an initiative that we, along with organizations such as TNO, VNO-NCW and The Hague Security Delta (HSD), applaud. The goal is to assemble a number of high-quality, knowledge-intensive industries in one place, which offers interesting opportunities for the West Holland region. The available space, combined with the airbase’s location, make it a well-suited site for the development of know-how in drone technology. It can generate numerous jobs, which means a huge boost to economic growth and employment in this area."

García Acero appreciates the contacts that he has had with InnovationQuarter, and says they have been "extremely valuable". "Their advice and practical support have helped us tremendously, and our business relationship has been very productive. In the future, we will surely reap the benefits of our joint efforts," he stated. To help AvioniCS develop and market new products, InnovationQuarter is currently exploring possibilities for participation in the YES!Delft Incubation Program and the YES!Delft Community. The program focuses on entrepreneurs with concrete ideas for technical, innovative and scalable products.

Wings for Aid
The intermediary support of InnovationQuarter has also supported AvioniCS by introducing them to 'Wings for Aid', the initiative that wants to use drones for humanitarian purposes, for example, by supporting rescue operations in areas that are difficult to reach after a natural disaster. Drones can help by bringing in food and medicine.  Several companies, institutions and universities in the region, including HSD partner TU Delft, have joined ‘Wings for Aid’.