Aerospace Xelerated cohort 4 opens to digital services startups worldwide

The Aerospace Xelerated programme has announced that it has opened calls for applications. Following three cohorts headed up by Boeing and supported by industry partners, the programme will now be run in partnership with the Tawazun Economic Council, the defence and security acquisitions body of the United Arab Emirates.

Startups from anywhere worldwide working on digital services and solutions are encouraged to apply. Applications open today and close on 25 September.

Aerospace Xelerated and Tawazun highlight their shared focus on innovation and point out that the partnership is part of their joint mission to "empower entrepreneurs" to develop ideas that solve real-life problems and move the aerospace sector forward.

Read more: 10 AI & Autonomy Startups Join Aerospace Xelerated’s Third Cohort

Based in Abu Dhabi, Tawazun acts as a catalyst for economic growth and the further development of the defence and security industry in the UAE.

Part of its role in Aerospace Xelerated will be to advise and partner with startups as they navigate their way into new markets in the Middle East. Tawazun will also serve as a guide to companies and provide support for market expansion, developing new products, and facilitating local industry connections.

Startups accepted into the programme will have the option to benefit from a £100,000 (€118,000) investment from Boeing, with the potential for additional funding from partners throughout the region. They will also have access to strategists and technical experts from industry to support the development of proof of concept opportunities. 

Startups taking part in the 12-week programme will also be introduced to a network of angel investors, venture capitalists and key stakeholders in the aerospace sector.

Mentoring will also be available from a global network of experienced entrepreneurs, as well as more than £100,000 in perks from partners including Oracle, Amazon, HubSpot, and Digital Ocean, amongst others.

Aerospace Xelerated is looking for startups in the field of digital services and solutions. Companies must be mid-late seed stage; preferably working on software solutions; and at a traction stage with proof of concepts, contracts already in place, revenue and/or letter of intent. The programme does not require the startups to be operating in the aerospace sector.

Nichola Bates, Managing Partner at Aerospace Xelerated and Head of Global Accelerators and Innovation Programs at Boeing, said: "This partnership between Aerospace Xelerated, Tawazun and Boeing is a further testament to our global presence and our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and innovation irrespective of their country of origin.

"When it comes to global startup hotspots, few places are as exciting as the UAE. It’s hard to match the extraordinary mix of dynamism, growth, tech, strategic location, and government incentives that the Emirates has to offer. Having the programme launch out of the UAE will provide further market access not only to the UAE but to all of the Middle East, Turkey and Africa regions thanks to the strategic geographical location, as well as the global expansion initiatives that the UAE has accomplished to date."

Read more: Sceye HAPS: Unleashing the potential of the stratosphere

Abdullah Al Awani, Executive Director of Economic Partnerships at Tawazun Economic Council, added: "Tawazun is committed to the promotion of innovation. Through a continued focus on technology, we aim to increase efficiency, drive industry best practices and support SME growth. We are very excited and proud of our partnership with Aerospace Xelerated on their fourth Cohort as it perfectly aligns with our mission to drive economic value, facilitate ecosystem growth and empower technology and people who are innovating."

Since launching in 2019, startups involved in the three previous Aerospace Xelerated cohorts have gone on to raise over £100 million in additional funding and create over 150 jobs across the UK and globally. Organisations to work with past cohorts as partners or mentors include PWC, Frazer-Nash, Chevron Technology Ventures and EasyJet.

For more information and to apply go to xelerated.aero.

Back to Homepage

Back to Aerospace & Defence