Discover Track
Supporting early stage start-ups developing breakthrough technologies
We’re looking to work with early-stage, deeptech start-ups building solutions that could have real impact in aviation.
If selected, you’ll partner with us over 6 months to better understand the industry, validate your approach against real customer needs, and progress your technology towards commercial readiness.
A tailored approach for deeptech
Discover is designed to be flexible, focused and genuinely useful for early-stage teams. We don’t run a one-size-fits-all programme. Instead, we work with you to shape the experience around your technology, stage and what you need most.
Over 6 months, you’ll have regular one-on-one sessions with our experts. This is time to delve into your solution, assumptions and how what you’re building could fit into airline operations. We can also explore potential pathways to future collaboration as the solution matures.
Fuel efficiencies
Aircraft purchased today are expected to remain in service for the next 20 to 30 years, making it crucial to find solutions to help improve fuel efficiency. We’re seeking start-ups developing new technologies that could either integrate into existing operations to help reduce fuel burn or be retrofitted to aircraft in the future.
Degraded GPS
GPS is a core component of modern aviation systems. While aircraft are equipped with alternative navigation capabilities, instances of signal interference have the potential to affect operations. We’re interested in exploring new technologies and solutions in this space.
Quantum Optimisation
Airline operations involve highly complex, large-scale optimisation problems - from scheduling aircraft and crew to managing networks and disruption recovery. As these challenges grow in scale, traditional approaches can struggle to deliver the best outcomes quickly. We’re interested in exploring quantum-based or quantum-inspired technologies that could unlock new ways to solve these problems, improving efficiency and decision-making across our operations.
Physical AI
Airports and airline operations rely on a wide range of physical processes across ground handling, logistics and maintenance. We’re seeking start-ups developing physical AI technologies that combine software and hardware to enable autonomous or semi-autonomous systems, with the potential to improve efficiency, streamline operations or support activities across the ground environment.
Why work with us
Engage with a potential future customer
Deepen your understanding of how the aviation industry works and what airlines require from solutions in this space. Test assumptions, refine your value proposition and ensure you are building something the industry truly needs.
Benefit from a bespoke experience
The engagement is tailored to your stage, technology and goals. We focus on what will have the greatest impact for you rather than following a fixed programme structure.
Explore meaningful collaboration opportunities
Through ongoing dialogue, we identify where there may be opportunities to collaborate, pilot or further develop your solution.
Build valuable relationships
Connect with experts across our Group and develop relationships that could support your journey beyond the programme.
Partner with us to help transform aviation
How can we help?
We work closely with our airlines and operating companies to understand their requirements, scout for leading solutions and help them screen for the best fit.
For the Deploy track, our decision will be based on a number of factors such as fit with our business requirements, solution maturity, ability to implement and scale across our group and future commercial terms.
For the Discover track, we will primarily be assessing how novel your technology is and its potential for achieving cost competitiveness when scaled.
We ask that your start-up has been incorporated and:
- For the Deploy track: has a product or solution that is ready to test in a 12 week proof-of-value
- For the Discover track: have technologies that have been proven at lab scale as a minimum (TRL 4+)
We don’t have hard criteria for what we consider a start-up or scale-up. In the past, we have worked with companies from pre-seed to post Series D, but most are between Seed and Series B. We’re most interested in how well your solution fits with the challenge we are trying to solve.
We review applications on a rolling basis and aim to get back to you typically within 3 business days of submission. If your application progresses, we will be in touch with next steps.
No but we may ask for the option to co-invest in your next round if your technology fits with our investment thesis.