Kunstig Aero

Kunstig Aero is revolutionizing aviation safety through its AI-driven decision-support system, designed to serve as a virtual copilot for air traffic controllers by monitoring communications, radars, and cameras in real-time to detect discrepancies, issue alerts, and prevent human-error-induced incidents such as forgotten landing gear deployments or near-miss collisions. Founded in 2025 by 18-year-old Uruguayan entrepreneur Lucca Ayerza Curbelo, whose passion for aviation stems from family influences and early experiences as a virtual air traffic controller in flight simulations, the company emerged from observations of communication failures during Ayerza's 2023 student exchange in Denmark—where "kunstig" means "artificial" in Danish. Incubated at the Universidad ORT's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Kunstig Aero also aims to reduce flight delays by up to 45% through optimized processes, though this feature remains in early development. Headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay, with a small team including pilot and partner Pedro Laborde, the startup has attracted investment from prominent venture capitalist Tim Draper—known for backing Tesla and SpaceX—and earned a scholarship to Draper University in San Mateo, California, to accelerate growth. Kunstig Aero is actively seeking additional funding for high-cost development, pursuing certifications with Brazilian aviation authorities, planning technical visits to airports like Carrasco, and preparing to showcase at international events including an ICAO gathering in Canada, establishing itself as an innovator in AI-enhanced air traffic management and error prevention.