Cockpit Innovation

Cockpit Innovation, known as Cockpit, is a venture investment firm. It is the venture arm of EL AL Israel Airlines. Boeing and gategroup are also backers. The firm invests in early-stage companies that build technology for aviation and travel.

Cockpit began investing in 2015. It says it was founded by EL AL Israel Airline and started as an air travel investment fund. Over time it has added new shareholders. Boeing joined as one, and later the catering firm gategroup joined too. The firm says its view is shaped by direct industry experience and a network of airlines, partners and operators.

The firm looks for exceptional founders with technology that is hard to copy. The company must have clear relevance to aviation or travel. The founders should have the ambition to build a global business. Cockpit also looks at adjacent technologies.

Cockpit offers more than money. It says it provides capital, aviation knowledge and access to an international network. That network includes airlines, industry leaders and strategic partners. The team combines an investor's view with direct knowledge of aviation. It says this helps founders understand the industry and build the right partnerships.

The firm has run several programs. It ran its first accelerator with JetBlue Airways. It launched an innovation program with Lufthansa Systems. It also started a cybersecurity for aviation program.

Its board brings together aviation, finance and industry experience. Members include an executive from gategroup and a senior analyst from EL AL. Founders who work with Cockpit give positive reviews on the site. One says the team understands both money and the travel market, including terms such as GDS and DCS. Another praises the smart people and the wide network. Another founder says the team gave steady support and went beyond normal working hours. A third says Cockpit helped bring new revenue streams while cutting costs.

The website invites founders to describe what they are building and why it matters. It also has a newsletter sign-up and an address for investment questions.