Nichola Bates
Founder & CEO
Xelerated Fifty
Nichola is a seasoned venture investor and startup operator with deep experience across early-stage entrepreneurship and corporate innovation. Formerly Boeing’s leading venture investor outside the U.S., she backed startups in 14 countries and led global innovation programs supporting defence and commercial customers. With expertise in international business development, capital raising, and go-to-market strategy, she bridges startups, corporates, and governments. Now CEO of XeleratedFifty, Nichola invests in breakthrough technologies transforming hard-to-disrupt industries like aerospace, defence, oil and gas, and maritime. She champions global collaboration, believing innovation is everywhere – but access is not.
Xelerated Fifty
Xelerated Fifty is a global innovation partner that helps corporates and governments source, scale, and commercialise breakthrough technologies in complex, high-impact industries such as aerospace, defence, shipping, and energy.
Overcoming Obstacles to Progress
What investors actually need to see to fund aviation decarbonisation. Hard numbers, not hype. Our financial experts unpack risk allocation, blended finance structures, value stacking, and how to make long-term sustainability projects bankable. Includes
