Accelerate@IATA

• To reduce friction points throughout startup-airline collaborations by providing capacity-building resources. This will ensure that the innovation ecosystem can better understand and engage with the aviation industry.
• To increase the number of pilots between the partners and the startups by providing tailored support to both parties. With this, Accelerate@IATA aims to foster interest in these collaborative opportunities and increase the number of successful pilots.
• The initiative seeks to expedite the cycle of innovation by thoroughly vetting startups through IATA' selection process and enabling airlines to choose suitable startups that align with their needs.

Below, you will discover the comprehensive workflow detailing how the program operates.

1. ACCELERATE: The primary objectives are to find solutions for airlines that accelerate standard development & adoption of standards, and stimulate competition to bring new entrants to the market.
2. IDENTIFY & SELECT RELEVANT STARTUPS: Collaboratively, the partners define the focus of the program and select the startups that best fit their needs.
3. MAP SOLUTION & DEMAND: During the 1-month program, IATA subject matter experts help the startups to develop innovative solutions to meet airline requirements and take care of the onboarding work, freeing up airline resources.
4. IMPLEMENTATION: The goal is to start a pilot and implementation between new entrants and airline partners at the end of the program.
   
   

• Access to global, stage-agnostic startups and technology providers that have the potential to increase airline revenues, reduce costs, increase operational efficiency and build brand loyalty
• Savings on innovation costs compared to internal development
• Access to new technologies that meet the industry standards.
• Startups and technologies vetted by IATA  to ensure they meet industry guidance/standards, and that the startups are financially viable.
• Focus on Modern Airline Retailing Program
• Shorter program reducing time to market

• Access to IATA’s global network of airlines and value chain partners for pilot and implementation opportunities
• Access to expertise and market knowledge
• Industry mentorship
• Tailored educational program to increase knowledge of the aviation industry and improve their solutions
• Access to industry trends and knowledge

• Inbound: The Accelerate@IATA team will publish information on the upcoming themes and program contact details on their personal and corporate social media profiles and landing pages. This initiative aims to raise awareness of the program within the innovation ecosystem and encourage startups to actively engage with the program.
• Outbound: In addition, the team will utilize manual sourcing techniques, which encompass, but are not limited to, the use of existing databases like Crunchbase, Tracxn, and similar platforms. They will also employ Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) methods, such as event and portfolio scrapping, LinkedIn searches, etc., to identify relevant startups for each theme and priority area.
• Referrals: Through cultivating relationships with Accelerators, Ecosystem promoter agencies, Angel Investors, and Venture Capital Funds, Accelerate@IATA aims to establish a network of qualified partners capable of providing program information to their own networks. Additionally, they will suggest the most relevant startups for each segment from all around the world

Overall, the sourcing process is estimated to take 2 full months.