Amex GBT accelerates innovation through startup partnership

American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) is partnering with Plug and Play as the company looks to accelerate access to emerging technology and new ideas shaping the future of business travel.

As an anchor member of Plug and Play’s Travel & Hospitality accelerator program for 2026, Amex GBT will work with startups and scale-ups while exploring pilot opportunities across its global business.

Plug and Play is the world’s largest startup accelerator and open innovation platform, with a network of more than 100,000 startups across more than 60 countries. Its Travel & Hospitality program includes partners such as WestJet, Flight Centre, Edmonton International Airport, PortsToronto, Accor and Star Alliance.

The program connects established travel organizations with emerging companies focused on areas such as digital transformation, automation and hospitality technology.

Erica Antony, VP, Complete & Select Solutions at Amex GBT, said: “Startups bring fresh perspectives, bold ideas, and the agility to challenge how we think. By collaborating with emerging innovators, we gain access to breakthrough technologies and diverse thinking that push us to innovate faster – while helping these startups grow.”

The company said the partnership will help strengthen its innovation pipeline and create opportunities to test new technologies and solutions across its global operations.