International Airlines Group (IAG) – a Corporate Partner of the FTE Digital, Innovation & Startup Hub and Headline Partner of the co-located APEX FTE EMEA and APEX FTE Ancillary & Retailing, Dublin, 10-12 June 2025 – has announced plans to invest up to €200 million over five years in high-potential companies through IAGi Ventures, the new corporate venturing arm of IAG. The potential investment is set to be one of the largest investments of its kind globally and the biggest by a European airline group. It reflects IAG’s commitment to using innovation to transform its businesses and create better customer experiences, increased operational efficiency and more sustainable aviation.
The investment approach will be one of financial discipline with data-driven, strategic investments that create long term value for IAG’s businesses. IAG will pursue investments in companies across all global markets, focusing on businesses developing technologies that address the most pressing challenges faced by the aviation industry today.
“Adopting new technologies will improve our business and the value we generate, which is why we are seeking to work with and learn from top innovators through venturing,” said Jorge Saco, Chief Information, Procurement, Services and Innovation Officer, IAG. “By launching venturing, alongside our accelerator programme, we plan to work with the best startups and scaleups tackling today’s challenges.”
IAG has been investing in technology-focused startups and scaleups since 2017, with notable successes including Assaia, a company that specialises in optimising airport and airline operations using Artificial Intelligence, i6 – a UK-based innovator using digital fuel management solutions to reduce operating costs and CO2 emissions, and LanzaJet – which is developing cost-effective Sustainable Aviation Fuel for commercial use in the UK.
IAGi Ventures will run in partnership with IAG’s accelerator programme, which has been running since 2016. The Hangar51 accelerator programme will now be known as IAGi Accelerator, with applications for this year’s scheme launching later this month. During the programme, companies design and run a proof of value to assess the potential of their solutions and work with experts across the Group to test their technology under operational conditions.
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