International Consolidated Airlns : Four Start-Ups Join IAG’s Hangar 51 Accelerator

International Airlines Group (IAG) has selected four finalists to join Hangar 51, its first ever accelerator programme, run in association with innovation specialist L Marks.
From more than 450 applications, IAG chose 26 start-ups to present their businesses before a judging panel at a pitch day (see link to video) in December before selecting the finalists.

The Hangar 51 finalists are:

• Esplorio's app is a simple way to record and share travels, ensuring that travellers never forget their amazing experiences and adventures.
• Resolver is an independent online resolution service helping consumers to raise issues and helping business to be more effective at resolving them.
• VChain Tech uses blockchain technology to build patent-pending Digital Identity SaaS to help airlines share data safely and securely when passengers take connecting flights.
• Warwick Analytics is a team of expert data-scientists who produce automated predictive analytics software.

The start-ups will spend ten weeks fully immersed in the operations of one the world's largest airline groups. Based at IAG's HQ in London, they will be able to trial their products globally and receive mentoring from both the Group's senior management team and external mentors.

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 said: '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'.

The Hangar 51 accelerator programme starts today, January 9, 2017, with a demonstration day on March 14, 2017.

For more information, please visit: http://www.hangar51.com/

Ends

January 9, 2017 IAG01

Media contacts:

IAG press office: [phone] [e-mail]

About IAG:

International Airlines Group is one of the world's largest airline groups with 548 aircraft flying to 274 destinations and carrying almost 95 million passengers each year. It is the third largest group in Europe and the sixth largest in the world, based on revenue.

Formed in January 2011, IAG is the parent company of Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, IAG Cargo and Avios. It is a Spanish registered company with shares traded on the London Stock Exchange and Spanish Stock Exchanges. The corporate head office for IAG is in London, UK.

IAG combines leading airlines in Ireland, the UK and Spain, enabling them to enhance their presence in the aviation market while retaining their individual brands and current operations. The airlines' customers benefit from a larger combined network for both passengers and cargo and a greater ability to invest in new products and services through improved financial robustness.

The airline industry is moving gradually towards consolidation though some regulatory restrictions still prevail. IAG's mission is to play its full role in future industry consolidation both on a regional and global scale.

British Airways and Iberia are members of the oneworld alliance.

About L Marks:
L Marks is a corporate innovation specialist and early- stage investor. They build bridges between large corporates seeking to innovate more quickly with young companies with disruptive technologies, products and services. Founded in 2012 by serial entrepreneur Stuart Marks, they run bespoke start-up partnership programmes across industry sectors, supporting rapid innovation and connecting them with the best start-ups. They work with clients such as IAG, John Lewis, EDF Energy and BMW to identify where they believe the challenges are in their businesses and then turn these into opportunities for improvement and innovation. Each programme is tailored to deliver real solutions to the corporate partners and create real opportunities for start-up to test and grow their product with a major partner.