Qantas has previously tried 'hackathons', where developers were invited in to brainstorm improvements for the airline. However without immediate funding, ideas generated by the 'hackathon' model risked falling by the wayside, Slingshot chief executive Karen Lawson said.

Corporates could also try to seed startups internally, but Ms Lawson said that would only work if those on the project were allowed to completely put aside their 'day job', and even then the incentive level may not be high enough.

"At Avro we'll have entrepreneurs that have truly taken the plunge, that have mortgages and kids' educations riding on their ideas making a difference. That's how you get truly disruptive, impactful outcomes," she said.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce personally oversaw the development of the Avro program, which in addition to access to platforms, data and customer insights will provide the entrepreneurs with mentors from across the group.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has overseen the creation of the group's 'Avro' start-up accelerator. Cole Bennetts

"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," Mr Joyce said.

"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."

Four direct reports to Mr Joyce will have carriage of the Avro program: Qantas Loyalty chief executive Lesley Grant, chief financial officer Tino La Spina, head of strategy and transformation Rob Marcolina, and brand and marketing chief Olivia Wirth.


Their responsibilities coincide with the themes Qantas has asked applicants to address, which cover everything from improved journey planning and booking, to predictive maintenance applications, to general fintech and healthtech ideas.

Qantas' startup accelerator is named after the AVRO 504K, which the airline introduced into service in January 1921. Qantas

However the program also has room for "solutions to questions we haven't asked".

Applications close at midnight on April 27, 2017 following information roadshows in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane.

The program will be run from Slingshot's premises at the just-opened WeWork co-working space in Sydney's Pyrmont.





