$150K in grants awarded to innovative air travel solutions

Hospitality

Sep 16

Written By Staff

Photo courtesy of Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority, in partnership with Avflight Grand Rapids Corporation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Seamless Ventures, Southwest Airlines® and the West Michigan Aviation Academy, announced the eighth cohort of companies selected to receive more than $150,000 in total grant funding through the Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE).

“We are pleased to welcome five forward-thinking companies to the FLITE program as they begin testing their air travel technology solutions,” said Alex Peric, Chief Operating Officer, Ford International Airport Authority. “We’re grateful for the continued support of our partners as we work together to enhance the future of aviation.”

FLITE, a first-of-its-kind program in the aviation industry, is helping shape the future of aviation by providing grant funding and pilot-testing opportunities to companies developing air travel technologies and services. The five companies in this round include:

Flox: Develops autonomous solutions to mitigate bird and wildlife strikes, enhancing aircraft safety. At Ford International Airport, Flox will test wildlife detection systems to inform intelligent wildlife management strategies.
Niricson: Uses AI to improve infrastructure safety and support sustainability. The company will capture imagery data to track the performance and maintenance needs of airport infrastructure.
Ultraview AI: Provides AI-powered drone solutions for high-accuracy aircraft inspections. Ultraview will showcase its platform to capture high-resolution imagery and streamline aircraft maintenance workflows.
VIRV: Powers off-highway vehicles with on-site renewable energy hubs. At the airport, VIRV will test its high-voltage powertrain on a baggage tractor to improve ground operations.
Volair Technologies Inc.: Enhances aircraft safety and efficiency with cognitive co-pilot technology. Volair will deploy a dashboard for ground-based users that visualizes live air traffic, real-time communication, and aircraft movement predictions.

“Niricson is proud to be selected for the FLITE program at the Ford International Airport,” said Harsh Rathod, Co-Founder and CEO, Niricson. “As a leader in civil infrastructure monitoring solutions, programs like FLITE create the right opportunities and bring the right stakeholders together to maximize success for our company, Ford International Airport, and their customers.”

As Michigan’s lead advocate for business development, job creation and community growth, the MEDC has played a key role in fostering innovation. Through the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), the MEDC has provided grant funding to support the companies participating in FLITE, to further the program’s mission and drive advancements in Michigan's vibrant mobility and technology sectors.

Applications for the next round of FLITE are being accepted now through October 30, 2025, at michiganbusiness.org/mobility-funding.

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