The Startup Scoop | November 2024

Welcome to The Startup Scoop?- our monthly newsletter curated for startups, investors and industry players in leisure marine.

With November coming to an end, we’re looking back at our major successes at both Metstrade in Amsterdam and the Abu Dhabi International Boat Show .

Our focus now shifts towards the upcoming year and the big things we have planned! Let’s unpack...

LAST CHANCE: Apply to pitch at boot Düsseldorf. ????

In collaboration with European Boating Industry (EBI), we will be hosting a full Startup Day at boot Düsseldorf 2025 on Tuesday 21st January. The program will consist of discussions and events geared towards providing our startups with the platform to shine and the network to succeed.

The deadline to apply for the Startup Pitch Competition is the 4th December. Prizes include a complimentary stand at boot Düsseldorf 2026, increased exposure and extensive media coverage.?

Apply here.

METSTRADE Winner: X-Fender! ??

x-fender were crowned winners of our METSTRADE Startup Pitch Competition last week. Competition was tough but X-Fender’s puncture-proof, foldable fender successfully swayed the panel of investors.?

A massive thank you to RoamingExpert Yachts for sponsoring this year's Startup Pavilion and associated events.

Startup Spotlight: MarkSetBot. ??

This month's Startup Spotlight series features MarkSetBot, the Detroit based technology startup on a mission to simplify race-management through the development of robotic buoys and integrated course-setting technology.

Here, founder Kevin Morin shares his insights into how the business was formed from his own experience on the sailing course.

Read more.

Latest news from our community. ???

Community is why we exist. We are all about the people building the companies of tomorrow, and we love sharing our members' achievements and successes.

• VoltSafe Inc. has been named one of Canada’s 50 Most Investible Cleantech Ventures for the second consecutive year by Foresight 50.
• New Zealand-based electric marine startups ZeroJet and Tectrax announced a merger, set to finalize in December 2024, creating a global leader in electric marine propulsion and amphibious systems.
• Next-generation electric boat company, Pollentia Inc , has introduced Ventus - a revolutionary 40-foot fully electric boat.
• Slovenian startup VisionAnchor earned a spot in the Top 10 at Web Summit 2024's PITCH competition, standing out among 2,700 competitors.
• UK startup ExpeditionZero welcomed industry leader Andy Hindley , former COO of the America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race director, to its advisory board.

YV featured in the news. ??

In an article for Marine Industry News we highlight how early-stage investments in startups can provide corporates with access to new technologies, and markets.

?? Read the story here: https://marineindustrynews.co.uk/the-growing-legacy-of-marine-startups-and-investment-how-can-firms-benefit

Talking to Dockwalk , we provide insights into the growing number of yacht crew that are deciding to leave their life onboard to pursue entrepreneurial endeavours ashore.

?? Read the story here: https://www.dockwalk.com/crewlife/former-crew-launching-businesses-ashore

Introducing our new Badge Of Credibility. ??

This month, we also launched our new Badge of Credibility, designed to help our members gain greater trust with investors, industry players, and journalists.

As Yachting Ventures grows as the leading platform for leisure marine startups, this badge signals which startups are the ones to watch.

Interested in joining our community? Apply here.

Until next time...

Lucy Wright

Head of Growth at Yachting Ventures