BDLI Boosts Startups' Role in Aerospace with New Board Position
The German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) has made a significant move to boost the visibility and influence of startups in the aerospace industry. The BDLI, representing over 260 companies with €52 billion in annual sales and 120,000 employees, has created a new board position: the Startup Representative. Florian Seibel, co-founder and co-CEO of Quantum Systems, has been appointed to this role.
Quantum Systems, an internationally active company with nine locations across seven countries, is now at the forefront of this initiative. Seibel, who previously served in the German Armed Forces and studied aerospace engineering at the Technical University of Munich, will strengthen the connection between the established aerospace industry and the dynamic startup ecosystem.
The BDLI aims to promote innovative business models and ensure the industry's future viability. Young companies can now apply for BDLI membership if they meet specific criteria: being active for less than five years, employing fewer than 100 people, and generating less than €10 million in annual sales. Michael Schoellhorn, BDLI President and Airbus Defence and Space CEO, underscores the importance of startups for the industry's future.
With Florian Seibel's appointment, the BDLI seeks to shape technological development together with startups. This move signals a commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration within the German aerospace industry.
