Winners Announced in MWAA Airport Innovation Challenge
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and 1776 announced March 6, that two startup companies have been selected as winners of their joint Airport Innovation Challenge:
- FetchyFox: An app and service, which provides delivery of food and retail items to airport passengers at their gates
- GoWith: A social platform that, using artificial intelligence, connects passengers with similar interests and likes at the airport
“These startups stood out from the other applicants as not only having innovative ideas, but also providing solutions to real-world passenger problems and products that can enhance our passenger’s experience,” said Jerome L. Davis, executive vice president and chief revenue officer for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. “We look forward to working with them in the coming months to further refine their concepts.”
FetchyFox and GoWith will receive $15,000 as part of their prize package and will work hand-in-hand with the Airports Authority to refine their products through participation in a 12-week curriculum, which will kick-off April 10 and 11.
In addition, their teams will work closely with experts from the Airports Authority’s Passenger Experience Innovation Lab at Dulles International and Reagan National airports, as well as in 1776’s Crystal City, Virginia, incubator to maximize the potential impact of their solutions on the passenger experience. Following the curriculum period, each startup will present their pilot programs to Airports Authority leadership at a Demo Day on June 21.
“As our nation’s airports continue to evolve, entrepreneurs will play a greater role in streamlining the passenger experience and working with leaders in the industry like the Airports Authority to implement new technologies,” said 1776 co-CEO Jennifer Maher. “We look forward to hosting FetchyFox and GoWith at our campus to refine their products and help build their business pilots throughout this program.”
The Airports Authority and 1776 launched the Airport Innovation Challenge, powered by UNION, in November 2017, to activate the startup community and identify innovations that will transform the passenger journey.
