Wednesday, February 13, 2013

American Airlines Ramps Startup Engagement, With Free Plane Tickets

Are you a startup founder who wants some free airplane tickets? Fort Worth-based American Airlines is ramping up its efforts to engage with startups, with a new deal with startup accelerator effort TechStars, and will be offering up startups with up to five free, roundtrip domestic airline tickets as part of a deal with TechStars. According to TechStars, American Airlines will provide the free plane tickets to all of its 2013 TechStars founders during the year, as one of the benefits of joining the accelerator. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The move is part of a big push by American Airlines to engage with startups.

American announced its href="http://www.texastechpulse.com/american_airlines_creates_startup_investment_fund/s-0047255.html">new startup investment fund in January, saying it would like to better tap into the innovation coming from the high tech sector. As part of that effort, the airline said it would be investing in startups, entrepreneurs, and incubators. The TechStars deals looks to be the first deal announced by American Airlines.

It's unclear exactly what programs will be covered by the free plane ticket program; however, TechStars does operate TechStars Cloud in San Antonio, and works with the SURGE Accelerator in Houston.

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