Empowering Startups to Revolutionize Airport Operations
Pilot your solution into the real world
The Digital Gate is a pilot-driven open innovation program in partnership with Athens International Airport, giving selected startups structured access to real operational challenges and live deployment environments.
How it works:
Define the challenge & your solution
Identify a real airport-related challenge and clearly position your solution against it, demonstrating the value it creates for users and operations.
Meet the experts & align your solution
Present your solution to airport stakeholders, receive targeted feedback and refine your concept to ensure feasibility and strategic alignment.
Develop a pilot in a real environment
Develop a pilot-ready MVP and test it in live conditions to validate performance, confirm impact and define the next steps for scaling.
THE ORGANIZERS
A strategic collaboration
The Digital Gate is the result of a strategic collaboration between Athens International Airport and ACE, the Incubator and Technology Transfer Office of Athens University of Economics and Business.
Athens International Airport defines the real operational challenges and provides access to a live testing environment, internal stakeholders and decision-makers.
ACE designs and manages the program framework, leads the scouting and selection process, and ensures that participating startups move through a structured pathway from solution definition to pilot deployment.
Navigating Operational Challenges
What selected teams gain
Real-world validation
Test your solution in the operational environment of Athens International Airport and gather real data that proves your value.
Faster product maturity
Improve your solution under real operational conditions and move more quickly from prototype to deployable product.
A strong reference case
Collaborate with a leading international airport and strengthen your credibility for future enterprise clients.
Stronger investment profile
Demonstrate traction, validation and enterprise collaboration, key elements that attract investors.
GAINS
Ready to pilot your solution into the real world?
Athens International Airport is launching the 5th cycle of The Digital Gate, a structured open innovation program designed to move startup solutions from concept to real-world deployment.
If your product can enhance airport operations or elevate the passenger experience, this is your opportunity to validate it under real operational conditions.
Success stories from our innovators
Thanks to The Digital Gate program we partnered with the Athens International Airport, which proved a success and helped us build our brand and approach global companies like Booking.com or Trip Advisor Experiences.
Yiannis Nikolopoulos
Co - Founder & CTO, Clio Muse Tours
We feel really fortunate that through "The Digital Gate" program we had the opportunity to turn a profound idea into viable action. In fact, "The Digital Gate" team and AIA' premises enable our product development, by serving as the interim lab space for all the development activities.
George Stengos
CEO / Co-Founder, Recytrust & Cyclefi
Athens International Airport proved to be the perfect partner to help us make an idea into something real by validating and adjusting our concept into the airport environment. The Digital Gate program gave us the opportunity to approach strong partnerships.
Konstantinos Diamantopoulos
Co - Founder, MyLayover
Join us in revolutionizing Airport operations!
Are you ready to turn your innovative solution into a live pilot? Join The Digital Gate and collaborate with industry leaders to address real-world challenges. Apply today and take the first step towards transforming airport operations.