JetBlue tech execs tap start-ups to help airline innovate

JetBlue Airways' top technology executive, Eash Sundaram, is betting that start-ups will help the airline take advantage of cutting-edge technology that it likely wouldn’t develop in-house or that traditional tech vendors might not offer. To that end, Sundaram is overseeing the company’s corporate venture capital arm, which has invested in start-ups including one that could help the airline personalise its travel offerings using machine learning and another that could speed up transaction processes using blockchain. Many disruptive ideas emerge from start-ups rather than legacy companies, said Sundaram. “We find innovation happening at a much faster pace than ever. Being part of the Silicon Valley innovation ecosystem is very important for us,” he said. <br/>