Corporate accelerators have become commonplace, but relatively few consistently turn startup pilots into long-term commercial partnerships.
Aviation presents an even tougher test, where safety, regulation and operational complexity mean promising technologies can quickly unravel in practice.
Over the past decade, IAGi, the innovation arm of International Airlines Group (IAG), has developed a model designed to bridge that gap, helping startups validate technologies inside airlines including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling before scaling successful projects across the Group.
I spoke to Nisha Basson-Mugnier, innovation leader at International Airlines Group (IAG) to learn more.
Founded in 2016, IAGi has evolved into a multi-track innovation platform that supports startups from early validation through to commercial deployment. Working across six strategic areas — AI, automation and robotics, sustainability and mobility, experiential platforms, connectivity and next-generation computing, and cybersecurity — the programme connects emerging technologies with real business problems and priorities across the Group.
