The German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) welcomes measures to promote technological sovereignty and targeted support for young companies
The German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI) views the European Commission's new "EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy 2025" as a significant step towards strengthening innovation and technological independence in Europe. The strategy focuses particularly on key sectors such as space, security, and defense, aiming to significantly improve the framework conditions for startups and scaleups in these areas.
Marie-Christine von Hahn, CEO of the BDLI (German Aerospace Industries Association), emphasizes the relevance of the strategy for the aerospace industry. She highlights that young companies – especially startups and scaleups – play a central role in innovation. However, close collaboration with established industry players is also crucial for the successful implementation of new technologies.
The strategy includes several measures relevant to the industry:
- Strengthening financing: The expansion of the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the introduction of the Scaleup Europe Fund are intended to specifically close financing gaps in the deep tech sector – an essential step for capital-intensive sectors such as aerospace.
- Facilitating market access: Programs such as the EUDIS Business Accelerator and new matchmaking formats are designed to specifically support start-ups in the defense and space sector in accessing markets.
- Giving preference to European suppliers: The planned "European Preference" in public tenders in security-relevant sectors aims to strengthen European value creation and safeguard technological sovereignty. Crucial to its success will be its concrete and legally sound implementation.
The BDLI represents over 260 member companies in the German aerospace industry, which together generate around €46 billion in revenue and directly employ approximately 115,000 people. The association is also active in European and national industry associations and is a co-organizer of ILA Berlin, one of the world's leading aerospace trade fairs.
Source: www.aerospace.nrw
