Accelerator

Working with start-ups to solve key business challenges

How the accelerator works

We scout for and partner with start-ups and scale-ups to find solutions to key challenges in the aviation industry. We offer two tracks:

Deploy: a 12 week track for start-ups that have solutions ready for our airlines and operating companies to test in a proof-of-value

Deploy

Discover: a 24 week track for early-stage, deep tech start-ups that are pre-commercialisation and looking to gain a deeper understanding of the aviation industry and what airlines are looking for

Discover

Some of the incredible innovators we have worked with

Partner with us to help transform aviation

Apply

How can we help?

How do you decide which start-ups to work with?

We work closely with our airlines and operating companies to understand their requirements, scout for leading solutions and help them screen for the best fit.

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For the Deploy track, our decision will be based on a number of factors such as fit with our business requirements, solution maturity, ability to implement and scale across our group and future commercial terms.

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For the Discover track, we will primarily be assessing how novel your technology is and its potential for achieving cost competitiveness when scaled.

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What stage does my company need to be at to be eligible to participate in the accelerator?

We ask that your start-up has been incorporated and:

For the Deploy track: has a product or solution that is ready to test in a 12 week proof-of-value
For the Discover track: have technologies that have been proven at lab scale as a minimum (TRL 4+)

We don’t have hard criteria for what we consider a start-up or scale-up. In the past, we have worked with companies from pre-seed to post Series D, but most are between Seed and Series B. We’re most interested in how well your solution fits with the challenge we are trying to solve.

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I have a deep tech start-up but not in any of the focus areas listed - which track should I apply under?

If you believe your solution can help the aviation industry, we would love to hear from you. Please select ‘Other’ as the focus area under the Discover Track in the application form. We review all applications carefully and will allocate start-ups to the programme which we believe is the best fit.

Do you require equity in exchange for participation in your accelerator?

No but we may ask for the option to co-invest in your next round if your technology fits with our investment thesis.