What IAGi Accelerator does

IAGi Accelerator (formerly Hangar 51) is the internal innovation function of International Airlines Group (IAG), one of the world's largest airline groups with a 548-aircraft fleet, 279 destinations, and over 122 million customers carried annually. Founded in 2016 and rebranded to IAGi in 2024, the program operates an annual accelerator connecting startups and scale-ups with IAG's operating companies—British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, LEVEL, IAG Cargo, IAG Loyalty, and SOUTH—to test and validate emerging technologies against real operational challenges. The platform offers two tracks: a 12-week Deploy Track for startups with solutions ready for live testing, and a 24-week Discover Track for early-stage sustainability deep-tech startups in SAF, carbon capture, and fuel efficiency. The accelerator charges no participation fees and takes no equity as a condition of entry.

The core product surface consists of the IAGi Accelerator program (Deploy and Discover tracks) and IAGi Ventures, the corporate venturing arm launched in 2025 with a commitment of up to €200 million over five years to invest in Seed to Series B startups. Notable portfolio companies include AISmartPlan (AI-powered aircraft maintenance planning deployed at Aer Lingus via a multi-year commercial agreement), Geofund (SAF documentation and EU ETS reporting, deployed across IAG within six months), CHOOOSE (CO2llaborate climate platform for British Airways customers), Assaia (computer vision for airport operations with British Airways), ZeroAvia (hydrogen-electric aviation, IAG participated in Series A and Series B), Nova Pangaea Technologies (waste-to-SAF), and Wastefront (end-of-life-tyre-to-SAF). The platform is built around structured proof-of-value workflows with potential conversion to multi-year commercial contracts, embedded innovation staff in operating companies, and partnerships with Plug and Play for global startup sourcing.

The business model is structured as an internal corporate innovation unit rather than a revenue-generating standalone entity. IAGi does not charge startups and does not report standalone revenue; value accrues to IAG through three indirect mechanisms: equity appreciation from IAGi Ventures portfolio investments, operational cost savings and efficiency gains from deployed startup solutions, and commercial contracts signed between startups and IAG operating companies following successful proof-of-value. The program is funded through IAG's corporate budget alongside the €200M Ventures commitment and IAG's broader $865 million SAF investment program. Since inception, IAGi has partnered with over 120 companies, tested 75+ solutions, made 10 portfolio investments, and selected a record 29 startups from 11 countries for the 2025 cohort.

Name

IAGi Accelerator

Legal name

International Consolidated Airlines Group, S.A.

Website

https://iaginnovation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IAGi Accelerator is the internal innovation function of International Airlines Group (IAG), running an annual startup accelerator program that connects scale-ups with IAG's airlines and operating companies to test and validate emerging aviation technologies in live operational environments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London (Harmondsworth)

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Accelerator Program: The IAGi Accelerator does not charge startups to participate and does not require equity as a condition of entry. Revenue is generated indirectly through successful proof-of-value projects leading to commercial contracts with IAG operating companies.
2. Corporate Venture Investment Returns: IAGi Ventures invests in startups (Seed to Series B) with potential to transform aviation. Returns come from equity appreciation, with investments typically taking forms of convertible loan notes or direct equity participation. The fund plans to invest up to €200 million over five years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

IAGi Accelerator runs an open innovation programme that connects start-ups and scale-ups with IAG's airlines (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, LEVEL) and operating companies (IAG Cargo, IAG Loyalty) to test and validate emerging technologies in real operational environments. The programme is structured into two tracks — a 12-week Deploy Track for solutions ready for proof-of-value and a 24-week Discover Track for early-stage sustainability deep-tech — complemented by IAGi Ventures, a corporate investing arm committing up to €200 million over five years across Seed to Series B rounds.

Product overview

IAGi Accelerator is an open innovation platform operated by International Airlines Group (IAG) that runs accelerator and venture programmes connecting start-ups with the Group's airlines (Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, LEVEL, Vueling) and operating companies (IAG Cargo, IAG Loyalty). The core offering consists of the IAGi Accelerator programme, which includes two distinct tracks: the 12-week Deploy Track for start-ups with solutions ready for operational testing, and the 24-week Discover Track for early-stage sustainability deep-tech start-ups. The programme is complemented by IAGi Ventures, a corporate venturing arm with up to €200 million to invest. Key focus areas span AI, automation and robotics, sustainability and mobility, experiential platforms, connectivity and next-generation computing, and cybersecurity. Notable products developed by programme alumni include AISmartPlan (AI-powered aircraft maintenance planning), Geofund (SAF documentation management), and CO2llaborate (customer climate action platform). The programme has partnered with more than 120 companies since its launch in 2016.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IAGi Accelerator Programme Open innovation accelerator programme (formerly Hangar 51) that connects start-ups and scale-ups with IAG's airlines and operating companies to test and validate emerging technologies against real-world operational challenges.
• Deploy Track 12-week accelerator track for start-ups with ready-to-test solutions, where participants collaborate with IAG airlines and operating companies on proof-of-value projects in live operational environments.
• Discover Track 24-week accelerator track for early-stage sustainability start-ups developing disruptive technologies in areas such as sustainable aviation fuel, carbon capture, and fuel efficiency, with expert sessions from IAG and external specialists.
• IAGi Ventures Corporate venturing arm that invests up to €200 million over five years in Seed to Series B start-ups with strategic alignment to IAG's innovation objectives, taking convertible loan notes or direct equity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75+ start-up solutions tested
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• CHOOOSEflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Climate tech company partnering with British Airways on the CO2llaborate platform. Enables customers to calculate carbon emissions and purchase SAF or carbon offsets. Includes dedicated corporate climate program for business travel emissions management.
• Plug and PlaycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Global innovation platform partner working with IAG on the Hangar 51/IAGi Accelerator program. Plug and Play helps identify and source innovative startups for the accelerator, providing access to their global network of startups and innovation resources.
• GeofundflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAF documentation and reporting solution company. Partnered with IAG through the IAGi Accelerator to streamline SAF certificate processing and reporting. Progressed from proof of concept to multi-year commercial agreement within six months.
• AISmartPlanflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI-powered aircraft maintenance planning platform. Partnered with Aer Lingus through the IAGi Accelerator, transforming from proof-of-concept to multi-year commercial agreement. Now being rolled out in Aer Lingus' maintenance production planning.
• British AirwayscoreOthersOne of IAG's operating airlines. Identifies operational challenges that guide accelerator searches. Leads projects with startups through the program. Partnered with CHOOOSE for climate platform, invested in ZeroAvia, and has implemented solutions including AISmartPlan testing.
• IberiacoreOthersSpanish flag carrier and IAG operating company. Collaborated with Quantum Metric through the accelerator leading to multi-airline contract. Working with Geofund on SAF documentation. Has innovation staff embedded through Head of Innovation, Design & Research Manager and Open Innovation Specialist.
• Aer LinguscoreOthersIrish airline and IAG operating company. Partnered with AISmartPlan through the IAGi Accelerator, resulting in a multi-year commercial agreement for AI-powered aircraft maintenance planning. Teams worked directly with AISmartPlan to refine platform automation, usability, and visual planning tools.
• VuelingcoreOthersSpanish low-cost carrier and IAG operating company. Uses Sideways 6 for employee innovation campaigns. Has a Tech Scouter embedded in the innovation team.
• Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of consortium including ICAl, SUTD, Airbus, Boeing, Changi Airport Group, SATS, and Singapore Airlines to set up the International Aviation Lab for airport operations innovation.
• Phillips 66coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAF producer supplying British Airways through multi-year partnership. Plant in Humberside uses waste cooking oil as feedstock, providing lifecycle emissions reductions of over 80% compared to traditional jet fuel. SAF delivered via existing pipeline infrastructure to London Heathrow.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Large global accelerator network running industry-specific programs including travel and mobility. Comparable as a broadly established accelerator with aviation-adjacent programs, though not aviation-specialized.
• Y Combinator: Largest global generalist startup accelerator. Indirectly comparable as a top-tier accelerator competing for the same early-stage founder mindshare, though without aviation-specific distribution.

Direct peers

• Lufthansa Innovation Hub: Innovation and corporate venture arm of the Lufthansa Group, running accelerator-style programs and investments in aviation, mobility, and travel tech startups. Directly comparable as a European airline-led innovation platform with a similar operating-company distribution model.
• Starburst Aerospace: Global aerospace and defense accelerator and venture platform running cohort programs and corporate-startup matchmaking. Directly comparable as a specialized aviation-focused accelerator with corporate partnership models.
• Airbus BizLab: Global aerospace accelerator run by Airbus, providing startups with access to Airbus resources, mentorship, and proof-of-concept opportunities. Comparable as a large aerospace OEM-led accelerator program serving aviation startups.
• United Airlines Ventures: Corporate venture arm of United Airlines Holdings, investing in sustainability (SAF), electric aircraft, and aviation tech startups. Closely comparable as a major airline-led venture program targeting similar themes (SAF, hydrogen-electric, AI operations).
• JetBlue Ventures: Corporate venture arm of JetBlue Airways, investing in Seed to Series B startups in travel, hospitality, and aviation innovation. Comparable as an airline corporate VC program backing startups with operational validation pathways.
• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform running multiple vertical accelerator programs including travel and mobility. Comparable as a strategic partner and a global multi-vertical accelerator connecting startups with corporate partners.

Emerging players

• SITA Global Aviation Innovation: Air transport IT specialist running aviation innovation programs and startup engagement around airports and digital ops. Partially comparable as an aviation-industry enabler connecting startups with airline/airport customers.
• Alaska Star Ventures: Investment arm of Alaska Airlines backing early-stage aviation and climate tech startups. Comparable as a smaller airline corporate venture program with similar sustainability and operational efficiency focus areas.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/iaginnovation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments29 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IAGi Accelerator