(UK) International Airlines Group has picked a record cohort of 29 startups for its 2025 IAGi Accelerator, split between 14 in Deploy and 15 in Discover. The group spans 11 countries, features eight UK startups, and leans heavily into AI and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The 2025 cycle began on May 26, 2025, with an in‑person Innovation Summit set for October 2025. The two-track setup helps IAG test near-term tools while building a pipeline of earlier-stage climate and deep tech.
What’s new and why it matters now
- Largest intake since 2016: 29 startups, up from prior years.
- Two-track model:
- Deploy (12 weeks): Ready-to-test tools work directly with IAG airlines such as British Airways, Iberia, and Aer Lingus.
- Discover (24 weeks): Earlier-stage teams receive monthly deep dives to prepare for future airline use.
- Focus areas: AI, robotics/automation, next-gen computing, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon removals, single-use plastic alternatives, fuel efficiencies, and broader decarbonization tech.
- Timeline: Applications opened Mar 17, 2025; closed Apr 30, 2025; selection May 9, 2025; onboarding May 23, 2025; kick-off May 26, 2025; Innovation Summit October 2025.
IAG is scaling up climate tech and operational tools as airlines face tighter EU/UK rules on SAF blending and lifecycle emissions accounting. The Discover call this cycle explicitly targeted SAF, carbon removals, plastics alternatives, and fuel-efficiency solutions.
Who is in the cohort
Sector outlets and IAG channels confirm the size, tracks, countries, and focus areas. UK companies disclosed so far include:
- Mission Zero Technologies — carbon capture / carbon removal
- Neela Biotech — biotech for SAF pathways
- Signapse — AI sign-language translation to improve accessibility
IAG and industry publications are releasing the full roster today.
How the IAGi Accelerator works
Deploy (12 weeks)
- Objective: Deliver a proof-of-value with airlines to show operational impact and scale.
- Selection criteria:
- Fit with business needs
- Solution maturity
- Ability to implement quickly
- Commercial potential
Discover (24 weeks)
- Objective: Support early-stage deep tech (minimum TRL 4, lab-proven) to accelerate readiness for airline use.
- Programme features:
- Monthly expert talks
- Site visits
- 1:1 sessions with industry experts
- Assessment focus:
- Novelty of technology
- Path to cost competitiveness at scale
Beyond pilots, IAG offers access to operational experts. Where aligned, there may be strategic investment conversations through IAG Ventures.
Key dates for the 2025 cycle
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Mar 17, 2025 |
| Applications close | Apr 30, 2025 |
| Selection announced | May 9, 2025 |
| Onboarding | May 23, 2025 |
| Programme kick-off | May 26, 2025 |
| Innovation Summit | October 2025 |
Notes:
– For future cycles, a single application typically covers both tracks; teams are placed where they fit best.
– Requirements:
– Company must be incorporated.
– Discover: minimum TRL 4.
– Deploy: solution ready for a 12-week airline test.
Why this matters for global founders and teams
A record intake signals a sharper push to bring SAF, carbon removals, and efficiency tools into airline operations.
- Deploy offers fast, embedded trials with real fleets and ground teams—often the step that wins enterprise references and repeat pilots.
- Discover gives earlier teams structured exposure to airline needs so they can refine tech and business models before full deployment.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, international cohorts often plan travel and legal steps around accelerator calendars to make the most of in-person testing and investor meetings. With the October Summit ahead, founders should plan early.
Practical planning and logistics often determine whether a pilot runs smoothly or misses critical milestones.
Travel and immigration planning
Teams traveling to the UK for pilots, site visits, or the Summit should confirm entry needs well in advance. If you’re not a UK or Irish citizen, you may need permission to enter the UK. Use the official UK government checker to see if you need a visa and what documents to carry: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Practical tips for program travel:
– Check deadlines: Map travel to onboarding, site visits, and the October Summit.
– Invite letters: Ask program coordinators for schedule letters confirming events and locations.
– Documents: Carry proof of bookings, return travel, and company details.
– Time zones and demos: For remote sessions, have backup power and reliable connectivity. For in-person tests, allow extra time for security and safety briefings.
Note: This program’s focus is innovation and testing. Immigration and entry needs vary by nationality and visit purpose, so always rely on official guidance.
Focus areas shaping airline operations
- Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF): Core to near- and mid-term decarbonization. Discover includes teams working on SAF supply chains and pathways.
- Carbon removals: Critical for hard-to-abate emissions; part of IAG’s climate pathway and a prominent theme in the cohort.
- AI and automation: From customer access tools (e.g., Signapse for sign-language translation) to operational efficiency and next-gen computing.
This focus mirrors IAG Innovation’s aim to move from idea to pilot quickly, then scale across airlines where results are proven.
What’s pending today
Media and IAG channels confirm:
– 29 companies total (14 Deploy / 15 Discover)
– Representation from 11 countries, including eight UK startups
– Emphasis on AI, SAF, carbon removals, plastics alternatives, and fuel efficiencies
The full public list is rolling out across IAG Innovation and partner channels.
Voices from the program
Ignacio Tovar, IAG’s Director of Innovation, describes the 2025 group as the largest yet and says the accelerator offers a route to show and scale impactful technologies “today and into the future.”
For companies planning the next cycle
- Monitor IAG Innovation channels for the next call.
- Prepare a clear airline use case with measurable targets (cost, emissions, safety, or customer impact).
- Discover applicants: have lab data supporting TRL 4 or higher.
- Deploy applicants: ready the product for a 12-week airline trial, including safety and compliance checks.
Where to learn more
- IAG Innovation Accelerator overview: program structure, tracks, and collaboration model.
- IAG Discover 2025 call page: focus areas and the exact 2025 timeline.
- Official UK entry rules and visa guidance: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa
Bottom line
IAG’s record IAGi Accelerator intake shows a push to prove and scale AI, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and carbon removal solutions inside real airline operations. With the programme already underway and an October 2025 Summit ahead, teams must plan tightly on product readiness, pilots, and travel. VisaVerge.com reports that good logistics and early paperwork often make the difference between a smooth pilot and a missed milestone. As climate and efficiency pressures rise, companies that can show impact fast stand to gain not just a pilot, but a path to group-wide rollout.
This Article in a Nutshell
IAG’s 2025 IAGi Accelerator accepted 29 startups across Deploy and Discover, prioritizing AI and SAF. Deploy runs twelve weeks for airline trials; Discover offers twenty-four weeks for TRL‑4+ deep tech. With onboarding in May and an Innovation Summit in October 2025, founders should plan visas, logistics, and clear airline use cases.
