IAG launches third Hangar 51 innovation programme

British Airways parent International Airlines Group (IAG) is launching its third Hangar 51 global innovation programme. Start-ups of all sizes from around the world are invited to join the programme, with up to ten companies embedded within the aviation giant … Continue reading →

British Airways parent International Airlines Group (IAG) is launching its third Hangar 51 global innovation programme.

Start-ups of all sizes from around the world are invited to join the programme, with up to ten companies embedded within the aviation giant to develop and test their products with the opportunity to grow on a global scale.

The initiative – which aims to find ways of transforming the travel industry – will be based in London at IAG’s headquarters, and run in collaboration with British Airways, Avios and IAG Cargo and in partnership with corporate innovation specialist L Marks.

The accelerator offers disruptive companies ten weeks of co-working alongside IAG. They will receive personalised mentoring and access to a network of industry contacts and experts from across the group.

Successful applicants will showcase their achievements at a Demo Day before an audience comprised of IAG’s senior management team and investors and they will have the opportunity to receive potential investment from the group’s multimillion pound digital fund to scale their business.

This year, Hangar 51 will focus on six core categories:
• Connected service: innovative devices, including wearables and IoT solutions, which can assist in providing an excellent experience for customers and employees.
• Smarter operations: big data analytics, robotic processes and smart contracting to optimise business operations.
• New products: creative solutions to enhance the products and services portfolio which can be integrated into existing platforms to improve the customer journey.
• Future cargo logistics: shipping analytics, asset tracking, and measurement and monitoring tools to optimise cargo operations.
• Loyalty and rewards: tech solutions and platforms, such as card-linking and alternative payment options, which are easily integrated into Avios, the airlines’ channels and retail partners.
• Wildcard: any new disruptive ideas that have the potential to reshape the travel industry.

Dupsy Abiola, IAG’s head of global innovation, said: “IAG is passionate about cultivating and supporting the next generation of travel technology companies. As one of the world’s largest airline groups, disruptive start-ups can benefit from our size, scale and expertise to help drive faster product innovation.

“Hangar 51 is now in its third year and our last accelerators saw us receive 800 applications worldwide which led to investment in three start-ups. We’re excited about continuing our unique approach by bringing the start-ups to the heart of our business and harnessing their potential to transform the future of travel.”

Start-ups can submit applications to join Hangar 51 at hangar51.com. Applications close at midnight BST on August 5, 2018.