18/03/2026
Startup Village welcomes Air Cargo Netherlands with a long-term innovation program!
Yesterday, ACN Air Cargo Netherlands launched the Air Cargo Innovation Lab (ACIL), driving bold innovation in the air cargo industry. The exciting launch featured Maarten van As, MD of ACN who highlighted the need for a lab that fosters thinking differently, working differently, and experimenting at the core.
Femmie Geradts, MD of Startup Village Amsterdam Village, emphasized the power of bringing together talent, startups, and industry partners in a single ecosystem, hosted at Amsterdam Science Park.
The Air Cargo Innovation Lab (ACIL) is a joint initiative between ACN and Startup Village. As a three-year innovation program, it provides a space for experimentation and development, allowing new ideas and technologies to be tested and refined more quickly for broader application across the sector.
Keynote speaker Arjan Postma emphasized: “Complex systems can’t be controlled—you need to learn how to get them moving.”
ACN’s bold approach aligns with current societal and economic challenges, including the Plan Wennink and the current coalition’s policy plans. This positions ACN and the air cargo sector as proactive, innovative partners in strengthening the Dutch business climate.
As owner of the Smart Cargo Mainport Program at Schiphol, ACN demonstrates leadership through this forward-looking initiative—making the Dutch air cargo sector stronger, more innovative, and better connected than ever before.
Startup Village is thrilled to get this started! 🚀
Special thanks to Fabian Haijenga Roel Zuidema Johan Star Lilian Groen - ‘t Hart Gert-Jan van Norden Roeland Reinders Aniek Dubbelboer
Innovation Walk – great to have these inspiring participants join us:
Samuel van Beek - Quantum Delta NL
Camiel R. Verschoor - https://lnkd.in/eyiFdt2S
Whirlwind - https://whirlwind.team/
Miguel Pieters - https://linearlogic.ai/