IAG is on the hunt for high-flying startups to join a new accelerator
International Airlines Group (IAG) has launched Hangar 51, a global accelerator programme, to sniff out the best budding aviation startups.
The parent company of British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus is inviting new firms to pitch for a chance at joining Hangar 51, where they will work with the airline group to create “next generation travel experiences” through innovative ideas, tech and services.
It will be a ten-week programme, based at IAG’s London HQ, and startups hoping to break into the aviation industry will be able to trial their products globally, while receiving mentoring from IAG’s senior management team.
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The initiative has teamed up with early-stage investor L Marks to support the development of these new entrepreneurs.
The programme will focus on four areas:
- Improving airport processes: making customer journeys through the airport easier
- Digitising business processes: developing new tools and processes to speed up and simplify the business
- Data driven decisions: finding new ways that data can improve customer satisfaction
- Wildcard: any idea that startups believe will improve customer service
Startups spanning the globe can submit their applications to join Hangar 51, with the deadline for submissions at midnight on November 6.
Glenn Morgan, IAG’s head of digital transformation, said: “This brand new programme will bring cutting edge digital startups into the heart of our business. We want them to tell us what we don’t know. If startups have something that can be applied to our industry to help our customers then we want to hear from them.”