Around 10 start-ups are about to receive the opportunity of the lifetime, as Qantas makes an open request for new businesses, scale-ups and digital disruptors to assist in its innovation agenda.
The Flying Kangaroo launched the AVRO Accelerator – a program which gives up and comers the chance to work Qantas Group mentors and pitch ideas, particularly in areas that can streamline the travel experience, design smarter ways of thinking, unlock the potential of new technologies and solve business problems.
Only around 10 teams will be chosen to take part, with each given access to the Qantas Group’s operational data, technology platforms and customer insights to bring their ideas to life.
The 12-week program has been designed in partnership with Slingshot, Australia’s first and most experienced corporate accelerator program, and comes as the airline steps up its focus on innovation, with investments in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and high speed onboard Wi-Fi, new digital and mobile tools.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the AVRO Accelerator was an opportunity for smart new business thinkers to shape the future of travel.
“The program is named after our first ever aircraft, the Avro 504K, as a tribute to Qantas’ long history of aviation industry ‘firsts’.”
Alan Joyce, Qantas CEO
“We’re proud of our track record as innovators and early adopters and we think there’s much more to come, so we’re asking Australian and international start-ups to join us as we unearth the next big ideas.
“Customer needs keep evolving and the limits of technology are constantly expanding, so there is a clear business imperative for us to find new ways to improve how we operate.
“We’re looking forward to opening up our doors to ideas that are different, challenging and truly innovative. Ideas that could benefit from the expertise and scale at a company like Qantas to refine them and make them a reality.”
Applicants wanting to join the program should reflect one of the following themes:
– Creating seamless journeys: Revolutionise the travel experience from inspiration to destination.
– Care beyond the air: Enrich customers’ lives and our communities physically, socially and financially.
– Building connected platforms: Unlock simplicity in an increasingly connected world.
– Transforming for tomorrow: Streamline processes to create efficiencies without impacting safety.
– Innovating without limits: Uncover the next break-through business that we just need to know about.
Startup program participants receive up to $150,000 of funding from the Slingshot Venture Fund. Start-ups and scale-ups have the opportunity to gain additional future investment from Qantas and our investment partners.
Click here to submit an application before 11:59pm AEST 27 April 2017.