Plug and Play, a leading startup accelerator based in Silicon Valley, today announced new collaboration with Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the worldwide leader in inflight entertainment and communications. As an anchor member of Plug and Play Travel & Hospitality, Panasonic will help select the most promising startups working on the next generation of travel & hospitality products and services.
Plug and Play Travel & Hospitality is on a mission to discover, support, and scale technologies that are defining the future of travel and hospitality. Using Panasonic Avionic’s extensive travel experience, Plug and Play will accept 20-30 startups in each of its two Travel & Hospitality classes of 2016. Startups accepted into the three-month program will receive mentor opportunities with leaders in the travel & hospitality space across all verticals including hotels, airlines, online travel agencies, cruise lines, and global distribution systems.
Chris Lundquist, Vice President of Corporate Strategy, Business Development and OEM Management at Panasonic Avionics said, “At Panasonic Avionics, we are constantly looking for new ways in which we can improve the passenger experience. Being part of this strategic venture with Plug and Play will help us quickly identify new opportunities to bring future innovations to the travel experience.”
“Our mission is to source innovative technologies that will complement Panasonic Avionics’ existing products and services as they relate to IFE. Ultimately Panasonic’s market reach gives them a huge influence over the passenger experience on almost every commercial aircraft around the world. We hope to play a positive role in enhancing their offering and strengthening their position as a market leader in the IFE space.” said Amir Amidi, Managing Partner and Director of the Travel & Hospitality Vertical.
Notes to editors
Plug and Play is bridging the gap between industry leaders such as CWT and startups. Join their ecosystem: http://bit.ly/travel-hospitali
The Travel & Hospitality Accelerator is a three-month program designed for early and growth stage startups. Qualified companies are developing solutions in various stages of travel, including choosing, planning a trip, booking, en-route and post-trip activities. Participating startups receive mentoring opportunities, as well as exposure to investors and potential pilot opportunities with corporate partners.
About Panasonic Avionics Corporation
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world’s leading supplier of inflight entertainment and communication systems. The company’s best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling its customers to deliver the ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices, resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced time-to-market and lower overall costs.
Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, a U.S. corporation, is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California with over 4,400 employees and operations in 80 global locations, it has delivered over 8,000 IFE systems and 1,000 inflight connectivity solutions to the world’s leading airlines. For additional information, please visit www.panasonic.aero.
About Plug and Play Tech Center
Plug and Play Tech Center is the world’s largest global technology accelerator and venture fund. Since inception in 2006, our program has expanded worldwide to include entrepreneurs from 24 countries, providing necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley. With over 400 startups and 100 corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem. Plug and Play provides active investments with 180 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and more than 365 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $3.5 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Dropbox, Lending Club, PayPal, and SoundHound. For more information, visit our website www.plugandplaytechcenter.com.
Featured image credited to istock.com/JakeOlimb
