Lufthansa will collaborate with technology startups for digital innovation by taking part in US company RocketSpace’s new Logistics Tech Accelerator programme.

According to Lufthansa Cargo, under the agreement, it will educate startups on the business objectives of the industry, cooperate with selected companies and incubate ideas for a pilot programme, with a view to developing a go-to-market solution.

“We are not only fully supporting innovation and digitization in our company, we want to drive our industry forward as a whole,” said Monika Wiederhold, vice president of product management and innovation at Lufthansa Cargo. “We are already offering our customers worldwide innovative eServices. Nonetheless, we see great potential for increased digitization and services in the entire air cargo supply chain. We are keen to explore new ways together with young, highly qualified experts from the start-up scene.”

RocketSpace, which has been helping startups since 2011, already works with Lufthansa’s Innovation Hub in Berlin.

“Global corporations like Lufthansa Cargo working hand-in-hand with disruptive startups is a prime example of how an industry can come together to fuel open innovation,” said Duncan Logan, founder and CEO of RocketSpace. “The Logistics Tech Accelerator will not only create cross-industry collaboration, but also create a centre of innovation excellence to empower participants to accelerate with purpose and achieve measurable results.”

The application process ends on May 12, according to Lufthansa Cargo.