Aerospace Xelerated, formerly known as the ATI Boeing Accelerator, has announced that GKN Aerospace has rejoined as a programme partner for its third year. The programme is being led by industry partner Boeing, which was recently joined by the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to back start-ups solving challenges for the aerospace sector. As a programme partner, GKN Aerospace will provide startups with ‘industry insight and expertise’.

Susan Schofield, GKN Aerospace’s vice president ‘Strategy Civil Airframe’, said: “It is great that GKN Aerospace has signed up to Aerospace Xelerated for the third year. As the world’s leading multi-technology Tier One aerospace supplier, we are committed to sustainable aviation and we are leading the development of new technologies to decarbonise aircraft and achieve ‘net zero’ emissions.

“We are excited to be able to bring our expertise to the accelerator programme and to play a role as an industrial sounding board. We believe that the diversity that is coming through from the startups brings different thinking and innovation, which we can build upon.”

Nichola Bates, managing partner at Aerospace Xelerated and head of Global Accelerators and Innovation Programmes at Boeing, added: “It is wonderful to welcome GKN Aerospace back as a partner for our third programme. They played a key part in working with our previous cohorts. The team is a true asset to our startup founders and I know they will be a huge benefit to our future cohort.”

Aerospace Xelerated will be investing in startups building autonomous and AI solutions that advance the way aircraft are built, from the factory floor all the way to the passenger journey. The two previous cohorts have gone on to raise over £50 million in additional funding and create more than 100 jobs across the UK.

Through Aerospace Xelerated, start-ups will be introduced to ‘a network of angels, venture capitalists and the wider aerospace industry’, throughout the 12-week programme and wider ecosystem events. Organisations to work with past cohorts as partners or mentors include Rolls-Royce, PWC, Chevron Technology Ventures and EasyJet. The new cohort will be unveiled this month and the programme will culminate in a Demo Day in March.