theGROUNDS
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is an international transport hub in the heart of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area. The airport and the network of transport links around it are important draws for both companies and other organisations. Our strategy for the development of the airport combines an entrepreneurial approach with a serious sense of social responsibility. This requires a focus on aspects such as quality of life, climate change and environmental protection. The logical next step in the development of the AirportCity formula is therefore a transition into sustainable business operations. To this end, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is working on a new knowledge and innovation concept – theGROUNDS – which is a platform and site for companies, knowledge institutes and governmental bodies to develop new applications to further the sustainability of airport operations.
Climate challenges spur innovation
We approach the airport's climate challenges as drivers of innovation. Developing sustainable solutions for the airport requires us to apply the latest insights and expertise on sustainability to the airport's operations. Through theGROUNDS, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has established a consortium of partner organisations including Delft University of Technology, Wageningen University, Imtech, TNO and others, all working to make the airport more sustainable. Pooling these resources fosters an environment in which first-rate innovations can flourish.
Co-creation
theGROUNDS is based on the principles of ‘can do’ and ‘connect’, and is aimed specifically at parties that can use their ambition, expertise, innovations or intelligent solutions to help develop a sustainable airport. Creating added value is a crucial part of this strategy. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol gives these parties the opportunity to work with the airport in an inspiring environment to help come up with new sustainability solutions. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol works closely with theGROUNDS Incubator, which provides flexible workspaces and facilities to hire at the airport.
Mainport Innovation Fund
One of the initiatives within theGROUNDS is the Mainport Innovation Fund (MIF). We established this fund together with KLM, Delft University of Technology and Rabobank. Support is provided by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ TechnoPartner programme. The fund aims to invest EUR 8 million in innovative enterprises over the next eight years. Primary candidates are young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas within the aviation industry. MIF is investing in Casper, which specialises in the development and sale of systems to monitor and analyse air traffic. The fund is also investing in Multi Pilot Simulations BV (MPS), an innovative company which develops high-quality aircraft simulators at a price that flight training schools can afford.
