EasyJet and Founders Factory announce first accelerator programme startups
In October 2016 easyJet announced a strategic investment into Founders Factory, the corporate backed incubator and accelerator founded by Brent Hoberman and Henry Lane Fox. As part of their partnership, easyJet and Founders Factory will support the growth of five early stage travel tech startups and co-create two new travel businesses within the incubator programme every year, for five years.
The first two startups being announced for the accelerator programme are:
FLIO
The global airport app is the ultimate app for frequent travellers. FLIO comes complete with maps, shopping deals, airport tips and departure information to help passengers navigate the airport and make their journey less stressful. Founded by Stephan Uhrenbacher (founder Qype), Brian Collie (ex BAA plc and lastminute.com), Andy Watson (early Spotify), and currently working with 900 airports, FLIO aims to become the single app solution for every airport in the world.
LuckyTrip
Voted by Apple as ‘App Store Best of 2015’ and founded by London brothers Tiff and Alex Burns, LuckyTrip enables the (typically millennial) traveller to simply set their budget and find a unique holiday in just one tap. Each trip gives you somewhere to go and the cheapest flight to get there, somewhere to stay and something to do.
James Millett, Director of Digital & Marketing easyJet, said: “We’re delighted to announce the first companies in our Founders Factory initiative and welcome both FLIO and LuckyTrip into the easyJet portfolio. Both companies have strong mobile first propositions in travel inspiration and airport experience that are already getting real traction with customers, have fantastic initiatives in their pipelines and passionate, talented entrepreneurs at the helm.
“Our five-year commitment to Founders Factory is all about putting disruptive thinking right at the heart of our digital activities to continue making things easier for customers at all stages of their journey with us. We look forward to working with the FLIO and LuckyTrip teams.”
Henry Lane Fox, Co-founder and CEO, Founders Factory, said: “Our in-house operations team will be providing an intense, bespoke support programme to assist with the growth of FLIO and LuckyTrip, something which, when combined with the industry knowledge and audience scale of easyJet, will mean an unparalleled offer for these startups.
“Our hunt for the brightest and best new innovation in travel tech is ongoing, and anyone with a great idea and brilliant team should get in touch with Founders Factory.”
