Raza Ali, managing partner at IAGi Ventures, is one of the 100 leading corporate venturing professionals in our 2026 Powerlist.
Raza Ali has been pivotal in transforming International Airlines Group’s innovation activities into what is now one of the sector’s largest dedicated venture platforms.
As managing partner of IAGi Ventures, Ali sits at the centre of IAG’s push to use venture investing as a strategic tool for operational efficiency, sustainability and customer experience innovation.
Trained originally as a biomedical scientist before moving through IT, commercial and aviation roles, he describes his move into corporate venturing as largely accidental rather than carefully planned. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he became involved in expanding IAG’s innovation efforts and ultimately took responsibility for the venture operation as the group rebuilt its innovation strategy from the ground up.
That effort has since evolved into IAGi Ventures, launched formally in 2025 with a commitment to invest up to €200m over five years. The vehicle is one of the largest airline-focused corporate venture funds globally. The fund has a global remit and invests, primarily from seed to series B, while retaining flexibility for later-stage opportunities where strategic alignment exists.
The investment thesis reflects the breadth of challenges facing aviation. IAGi targets startups working across artificial intelligence, automation, sustainability, connectivity, customer platforms and operational technologies. The goal is not simply financial return but identifying technologies capable of reshaping airline economics and passenger experience over the next decade.
Ali has become known internally for balancing strategic discipline with founder-centric investing. Colleagues and founders alike describe a leadership style that emphasises curiosity, accessibility and long-term partnership building. He often speaks about the importance of remaining adaptable in a role that can shift rapidly from sustainable aviation fuel to quantum computing or AI infrastructure in a single day.
Recent investments illustrate the breadth of the platform’s ambitions. In 2025, IAGi participated in the $28m series B financing of UK sustainable aviation fuel developer Oxccu, backing technology designed to convert waste carbon and hydrogen directly into jet fuel.
The fund has also invested in companies such as digital fuel-management startup i6, sustainable fuels producer LanzaJet and Norwegian SAF company Wastefront, reflecting a strong emphasis on emissions reduction and operational efficiency.
IAGi’s sharpened approach reflects the broader maturation of airline venture investing itself: moving from isolated innovation projects towards integrated, strategically aligned venture platforms capable of influencing the future direction of global aviation.
The GCV Powerlist represents the 100 individuals spearheading the future of the corporate venturing industry.
These individuals excel in terms of their venturing approach and structure, number and quality of portfolio companies and in their contributions to the corporate venturing profession.
Here’s a snapshot of their recent deals:
