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Revealed: The four startups who will be joining aviation accelerator Hangar 51

Following a three month search, International Airlines Group (IAG) and innovation firm L Marks have revealed the four startups who will be joining the inaugural Hangar 51 accelerator.

The programme, which was announced back in October, invited invitations from startups and entrepreneurs whose innovations have the potential to improve customer experience, and introduce digital efficiencies in the aviation sector.

Sifting through over 450 applications, IAG invited 26 startups to a pitching day back in December, with the selected startups vying for a place on its global accelerator.

Now, the firm, which is the parent company of carriers such as British Airways, Aer Lingus and Iberia, has unveiled the four winning startups who will benefit for a ten-week intensive accelerator programme and they include:

• Oxford and London’s Esplorio, an app which helps travellers record and share their travels even without a data connection
• Resolver, the London-based online resolution service that helps consumers raise issues and is backed by MoneySavingExpert.com
• Blockchain firm VChain Tech, which utilises Digital Identity Software as a Service (SAAS) technology to help airlines share data for passengers on connecting flights
• Warwick Analytics, who are a team of data scientists working on automated predictive analytics software.

The four startups will now be given the opportunity to trial their products globally and receive mentorship from IAG’s senior management team and group of external mentors, while based at the airline group’s London headquarters.

Glenn Morgan, IAG’s head of digital transformation, said: “Our finalists offer IAG a wide range of disruptive opportunities that could create next generation travel experiences and transform the aviation industry.

“We look forward to welcoming them to IAG and working alongside them as we develop these ideas together”.

Stuart Marks, technology entrepreneur and Chairman of L Marks added: “The calibre of our finalist startups is very exciting, they all bring something unique to the programme while sharing a true disruptive nature.

“I’m eager to see each team evolve as they test their innovative solutions alongside one of the world’s largest airline groups. I’m certain we will see some exciting outcomes from Hangar 51”.

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