Cabin crew tablet start-up MI Airline receives backing from the Mainport Innovation Fund, backed by both corporates and universities.

Mainport Innovation Fund, founded by airline KLM, the Delft University of Technology, banking firm Rabobank, and airport management firm Schiphol Group, has backed MI Airline.

The start-up, founded in 2010, is a developer of the connected crew tablet platform, designed to support airline cabin crews during flights. It is the second investment in MI Airline, however, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Job Heimerikx, chief executive at MI Airline, said: “At the front-end we strive to be the “Crew Friend” and at the back-end our goal is to create insight, overview and logistical efficiencies. Being the Crew Friend, in our vision, puts the flight attendant in the center of all we do, keeping our app simple, fun and as easy to use as Facebook, performing appropriate management tasks without involvement of the user.”

The fund also recently invested in a University of Twente spin-out Eye on Air, which is developing an explosive detection device. The terms of the deal were also undisclosed.

Speaking on that deal, Erik Swelheim, chief financial officer of KLM, said: “Eye on Air’s technology has great potential for our security operations. Authorities worldwide are increasingly demanding and keep raising the requirements for airport and aviation security. Eye on Air may help us meet these requirements in the future.”