Heads Up Technologies (HUT), an aviation technology company serving the business and commercial sectors, has acquired Innovative Advantage (IA), a specialist in CMS backbone technology for a wide range of business jets.
A specialist in engineered systems across lighting, CMS/IFE, safety and audio, HUT said it is expanding its capabilities to deliver integrated solutions that encompass every touchpoint of the passenger and crew journey. This is the company’s third strategic acquisition in three years, following STG Aerospace in 2022 and Alto Aviation in 2023.
IA’s AVDS platform is designed to deliver 4K video, audio and Ethernet with low latency, and is already used by more than 2,000 aircraft worldwide. IA was founded more than two decades ago and is headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. The large-cabin jet segment is a particularly strong market for IA’s CMS infrastructure.
HUT said that IA’s 40-person team, composed predominantly of engineers, brings deep technical muscle and a culture of innovation that aligns closely with its own – both sharing “a deep commitment to engineering craftsmanship, agile decision-making, and a passenger-first mindset”.
“We built Innovative Advantage to solve unseen problems in the cabin and elevate the passenger and crew experience,” said Richard Morris, founder of IA. “Joining Heads Up Technologies is the natural next step, combining our engineering roots with their design precision and market access. It’s a win for innovation and a win for customers.”
IA’s CMS backbone systems pair with HUT’s expertise in lighting, passenger interface, and integrated cabin control solutions. HUT said that together with Alto Aviation’s audio and aftermarket capabilities, the combined group can now “deliver on the vision of a fully integrated cabin experience”.
With this acquisition, HUT further unifies the front- and back-end of cabin technology, positioning itself as “a single-source partner for complete cabin integration”.
“This acquisition represents our vision in action: to shape extraordinary flying experiences by delivering engineered solutions that get every detail right,” said Renée Rump, CEO of Heads Up Technologies. “IA strengthens our ability to innovate with agility, adapt to customer needs at scale, and elevate the passenger experience across every class of business aviation. Just as importantly, we share the same cultural DNA – passion for aviation, respect for precision, and a belief in pushing boundaries together.”
