1819 startup flies high after national pitch

Based at the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub, the company was selected to present at the prestigious South by Southwest (SXSW) startup pitch competition in Austin, Texas.

Airtrek rose above the competition to become one of five finalists in an intense pitch challenge featuring a global array of startups.  The business’ high placement in the “Robotics, Web3, Voice and Extended Reality” category proves that it’s a game-changer in addressing the $23 billion foreign object debris (FOD) issue – and it shows the power of startups in the Cincinnati Innovation District.

The last few months have treated Airtrek Robotics kindly, with the company winning funding from Ohio’s Technology Validation and Startup Fund (TVSF) and receiving strong interest from airports across the U.S.

South by Southwest judges were similarly intrigued by Airtrek’s automated and lower-cost solutions to safety threats and financial challenges consistently plaguing airports. Foreign object debris like zippers, luggage tags or other misplaced objects found on airport runways and tarmacs costs the global aviation sector nearly $23 billion annually.

Beyond the publicity gained from pitching Airtrek Robotics to some of the world’s leading innovators, the team also benefited from invaluable insights and forged strategic connections while in Texas. “At SXSW, we connected with fellow founders and creative professionals,” Lee notes. “Our main event was the pitch competition in the robotics category. We also attended sessions, shows and parties which offered practical insights, and the demos showcased cutting-edge tech.”

Leaders at Airtrek exchanged knowledge and gained fresh perspectives with fellow robotics pioneers. The team also used its time at SXSW to spread awareness of the innovation ecosystem thriving at UC’s 1819 Innovation Hub and throughout Cincinnati.

Other finalists in the robotics category included startups from tech hubs like Austin and Chicago, plus companies based across the globe in places such as Japan and Singapore. Collaborating with such a distinguished group of innovators provided Airtrek with an opportunity to showcase its product expertise and establish its position as a thought leader in the field of robotics.

Now that Airtrek Robotics is back in Cincinnati, the team is busy testing its FOD removal products and courting new aviation industry clients. “With growing market traction," Lee says, “our next step is to validate our solution with launch customers, heading toward initial deployment.”

As Airtrek continues breaking innovation boundaries, the team remains deeply grateful for the support received from the 1819 Hub. From successfully launching via the Venture Lab startup accelerator to the significant resources and networking cultivated through the 1819 community, Airtrek’s growth and success are closely intertwined with the opportunities provided through the ecosystem.

“1819 has accelerated Airtrek on multiple fronts,” Lee remarks. “The makerspace helped us advance our product quickly, and their network and connections have unlocked numerous opportunities for us.”