Article by Hans Buitelaar, Metstrade
Exciting new products, services and the startup companies that introduce these, are found at the Startup zones – one for the leisure boating sector and one for the superyacht segment. Tickling anticipation, four of the newby entrepreneurs tell about their debut at Metstrade.
Bright new ideas are often the starting point for new companies. From a clever perceived plan towards a fully developed product is a challenging process. When this first challenge from concept to a tangible product is overcome, the next phase is to find clients. In their startup phase, a lot of companies will need the help of experienced entrepreneurs and marketing professionals. Or just a launching platform, like the Startup Zone at Metstrade. At the upcoming edition, 21 newly launched companies will present their novel products and services to the audience of leisure marine professionals. Sixteen startups will exhibit at the Startup zone in hall 7, five more will inhabit the space reserved for Superyacht Startups in hall 8.
Accelerator
Getting the industry’s attention is a hard thing to achieve when you start from a laboratory of a small scale manufacturing site. The British startup accelerator Yachting Ventures tries to help with just that. This agency helps the innovators and product developers to get introduced to the community of the leisure marine industry and uses marketing and events. Yachting Ventures helps to design and publish a company website, introduces the yachting press and organises startup spaces at important trade shows. This year’s Metstrade will host the Startup Zone for the third time, organised in co-operation with Yachting Ventures.
Springboard
“We invite these startups to spotlight the most promising new technologies in the marine sector. The Startup Zone has established itself as a springboard for ambitious founders over the previous two editions,” Yachting Ventures founder and CEO Gabriella Richardson remarks.
New for 2025 is the shared booth hosting Superyacht Startups. The new space will be dedicated to technologies and solutions designed for vessels over 24 metres in length, including products and platforms targeting operational efficiency, digitalisation, and sustainability within the superyacht sector. Halfway October, five participants were signed to join in this specialised space. Richardson is anticipating more companies to join, three weeks before exhibit hall doors open.
Preview
Looking forward to exploring all of the innovations at display in the startup areas, some coincidental conversations with the companies there, provide a preview of what is to be seen. The uplifting spirit of innovation is immanent.
Boatee
Cesare Malescia, founder and CTO of Boatee, kicks off: “Metstrade is our official world premiere! We are incredibly excited to unveil the Boatee Smart 1.3, our first 1.3kW electric outboard. It features an external LiFePo4 battery, weighs only 6kg, and offers up to 5 hours of autonomy at 3 knots. This is just the beginning of our journey, as we’ll be showcasing Boatee at other major international boat shows soon after.”
Malescia has practised the pitch: “We didn’t just electrify an outboard; we re-engineered it from the ground up with a focus on simplicity and user experience. Key benefits are its elegant, minimal construction for greater reliability and its unmatched lightness at just 6kg, which is a game-changer for portability. Our innovative touch-display control system makes it as intuitive and connected as a smartphone.”
After four years of research and product development. The company Boatee was officially established this year.
Marlic
Kristian Rosenberg Larsen, press officer at Marlic, enthusiastically tells about his company’s involvement in the Zone: “Marlic A/S was established in 2022. What began as an attempt to optimise the inventor’s own boat turned out to be a groundbreaking innovation with patent potential: the Full-hydraulic power steering system with integrated design. This discovery became the foundation of Marlic. Our first product, the Marlic 3520, was finalised, certified and introduced in November 2024. It represents the first full hydraulic power steering system with integrated electronic interface. Marlic’s hydraulic power steering eliminates the need for electro-hydraulic pumps, autopilot pumps, electrical actuators, and large battery packs. It provides full hydraulic power steering at the helm and offers direct plug-and-play interface capabilities for autopilot and joystick control – but with minimal power consumption, higher energy efficiency, simplified installation, and greater cost-effectiveness. Our goal is to find a global partner interested in adopting and commercialising our integrated hydraulic steering technology, allowing us to focus on further innovation within marine hydraulics.”
Competr
Leopoldo Cavina, marketing and sales lead at Competr, hopes that particapating at Metstrade will spark long term collaborations: “Metstrade is the ideal platform for our first major industry showcase. Our objective is to engage directly with OEMs, boatbuilders, and distributors who are looking for high-performance electric propulsion systems that combine design, power and sustainability. Beyond visibility, we aim to initiate long-term collaborations and gather direct feedback from the market to fine-tune our pre-series production.”
Competr introduces an ultra-light electric powertrain system featuring an outboard motor with counter-rotating tractor propellers. This propulsion set has been developed up to the advanced prototype stage in which it will be presented at Metstrade. Next year the prototype will be validated on the water, and pilot deliveries to selected shipyards and yachtclubs are expected to begin in 2026.
Cavina: “The Startup Zone is the first full public showcase of the system in a trade fair context, an important step toward its commercial debut.”
Nauticare
Matteo Senes will showcase the new yacht management software as developed by his company Nauticare at the Superyacht Startup space.
“Nauticare aims to offer an integrated digital ecosystem for yacht management,” Senes explains. “Our software combines fleet management, maintenance tracking, crew management, compliance to maritime and flagstate regulations and more into one intuitive platform. Unlike traditional services, we focus on automation and user experience, enabling operators to manage their vessels more efficiently and reduce administrative workload. Beta testers have already reported significant time savings and improved operational visibility across their fleets. We haven’t officially launched our product yet, it’s currently in development and beta testing. We’re gathering feedback from early users to ensure a strong market-ready launch soon.”
Nauticare was founded in 2024 with the mission to simplify and modernize yacht management through AI driven solutions.
“Our primary goal at Metstrade is to showcase Nauticare to the wider superyacht industry and connect with management companies, captains, and yacht operators who share our vision for a smarter, more connected yachting ecosystem. We’re also looking to build strategic partnerships and expand our network of beta testers to further refine and validate our solution.”
Smartdrinx
“As we were looking at the large yachts in Puerto Bañus during an evening walk last February, Allan and I came up with the idea for Smartdrinx,” Jacob Hansen tells.
“We make a combination of the drinks systems as they are used in the event industry with the maritime lifestyle aboard luxury yachts.Founder and CEO Hansen works together with fellow Danish entrepreneur Allan Douglas Collins who had already gained experience in automatic drink serving machines with his company Cooldrinks and who is a sailor himself.”
Today, we have Smartdrinx developed as a user friendly drinks serving product and we are able to present it at Metstrade.
”Smartdrinx offers a system that pours drinks in glasses from a nozzle that can be operated with one push at a button. A series of nozzles at the bar aboard a yacht can be connected to hoses that lead to barrels with soda, beer or wine. A special nozzle with a combination of buttons can be used to mix various soda drinks with spirits to create cocktail drinks. Our demo yacht ‘Pulse’ has been sailing the waters of southern Denmark over the past month, showcasing the product and testing the durability,”
Hanse continues, “We are now ready to present our company and products to the world. Just two months ago we learned about Metstrade and the possibility to join the Start-up area. Metstrade is the perfect place for us to meet with peers in the industry, promoting Smartdrinx for yachts. We want to get new B2B customers onboard and scale up our business. At the show, we also expect to get input for further product development. We will also join the Pitch Competition on stage the last day of Metstrade.”
OneTCall
Fatima Komeiha of OneTCall shares how this company for maritime telephone calling and internet services has evolved from the space technology institute ESA.
“OneTCall was established in June 2024, as a spin-off from a co-operation by a space agency and a TLC company (Telecommunication Line Controller).”
OneTCall offers satellite communication via a user friendly interface.
“In September 2024 we finalized the industrialization of the “OneTCall” app and the “Skywave” terminal. We offer a full service for the on-board communication, from the solution design to the assistance of satellite terminals and applications. As we were looking to present our new service to the yachting industry, we found Yachting Ventures through their website. At Metstrade we hope to get information about the user needs and market evolution. We also want to establish contacts with potential customers and providers.”
BoatHowTo
Sailing and boat technology veterans Nigel Calder (of the Project Technical Committe of the ABYC – American Boat and Yacht Council and writer of manuals for electricity installation and diesel maintenance on board) and Jan C. Altenstädt (tall ship sailor, publisher of German websites for boat maintenance and repair) joined to publish online courses. Nigel and Jan were introduced to each other during the first Covid lockdown and started exploring the idea to bring boating education online. Altenstädt tells about their project development:
“We launched our first course, Boat Electrics 101, at the end of 2021. We have registered or activities as a company that same year. Initially our focus was to instruct boat owners who wanted to understand and maintain their systems to increase self-reliance on the water. However, we were soon realised that more and more professionals were interested in our courses, too. Our second course, Advanced Marine Electrics, is more geared towards a professional audience and we now have a significant number of boat builders, boat yard operators, and surveyors as part of our audience. We are proud to say that our courses are now an integral part of the curriculum at three major US boat building schools.”
“At previous editions of Metstrade, we visited the collaborative startup-booth that Yachting Ventures organised. We are excited to be part of this and also connect to other startups. We would like to further increase visibility of BoatHowTo for a professional audience. We see great potential in working with companies and help advance the knowledge and understanding of their employees. We also hope to connect with other startups and established companies and explore ways to collaborate and potentially work on joint projects.”
Effetto Venturi
Co-founder Valentina Venturi tells about the automated buoy that is equipped tostay at it’s exact spot without an anchor – for deep water sailboat racing.
“GiPSy is a robotic buoy, so it can be deployed by push button when it is put overboard, or remotely when it is in position. It is connected to the controler via GSM. As the buoy is lightweight, it is very easy deployed. It is used in yacht racing to make organisation easier and faster. The use of GiPSy is also more ecological because without an anchor, it is not scratching the seabed.”
Effetto Venturo was established in December 2021 and launched their first product in April 2022. They will be presenting their new Mini Buoy at the Metstrade Stat-Up Zone.
“I was looking for a way to participate at Metstrade as startup and found out about Yachting Ventures,” Venturi shares. “Our new project is the mini-buoy, a multifunctional autonomous buoy that is only 11 kg and very easy to handle.”
Tender-Rest
Jürgen Linder happily tells about participation at the Metstrade Startup Zone: “Our first product – the TENDER-REST Dinghy-Chocks – was introduced in early 2024. Trading began in February 2025 with the launch of our website.”
Tender-Rest are improved supports for dinghies and jet skis on bathing platforms. All round soft rubber protection makes handling by the crew easier and safer, the angles of the restst can be adjusted to fit a variety of tenders and water toys and it has an lightweight four-bar linkage for easy folding in and out. There is also a fully integrated version, where the supports are recessed flush into the bathing platform. This version was specifically developed for new builds and shipyard installations to have stowage on the bathing platform when necessary, but a flush platform when the dinghy or jet ski is in the water. Linder:
“We became aware of Yachting Ventures through their strong network in the field of marine innovation and applied to participate in the Startup Zone. Their professional support and enthusiasm for new marine technologies made the collaboration an obvious choice. Our main goal is to meet international boat builders, distributors, and refit specialists who are looking for safer and more user-friendly tender support systems. We aim to expand our global dealer network and to establish TENDER-REST as a high-quality European brand for innovative dinghy-chocks.”
Marine Innovations
Rachel Davis shares her story about the route of Marine Innovations from start to Metstrade: “Our first product was the Fender Slider which allows you to adjust your fenders quickly and easily without the need to untie them. We luanched it in September 2023. We are boaters ourselves and the product ideas come from frustrations we experience on our own boat. The heart of our business is inventing solutions that haven’t previously existed. For example, the Fender Mate which enables quick and easy attachment, removal and adjustment of fenders without the need to tie and untie ropes. Our products have been designed for all abilities of boater, from experienced boaters and RYA instructors to new boaters and those with dexterity issues. We are passionate about making boating more enjoyable, safer and accessible to everyone. Our products are made from recycled materials and are built to withstand marine environments. There’s always an emphasis on durability and we also offer replacement parts so you don’t have to purchase the whole product again if you happen to lose something.”
Exhibiting at Metstrade is something that fits really well with the company approach, Davis says: “We were keen to exhibit at Metstrade this year as we feel that this is the next step for our business. Yachting Ventures and Metstrade share a collaborative relationship aimed at fostering innovation and supporting emerging businesses in the leisure marine industry. We contacted them about becoming a member of their network and at the same time started a discussion about exhibiting in their Startup Zone. We will showcase our practical and inventive boating accessories, connect with distributors and industry partners, and gather feedback from the marine community. We’re here to grow brand awareness, drive sales leads, and demonstrate how our innovative solutions make boating easier, safer, and more enjoyable.”
Crew Pass
At the Superyacht Start-up Space is Crew Pass, a service that helps captains and owners choose trustworthy crew memebers. Amelia Hilton Pierce explains the service the company offers: “CrewPass was founded as Conrad Empson, working as yachting crew, identified a major gap in the vetting of crew working aboard superyachts. After escorting the owner’s children to a local play park alone, he was struck by the fact that he had never undergone a background check himself. The idea behind CrewPass developed. His vision was to make yachting safer by ensuring that every crew member on board is properly vetted and verified.”
Crew live in close quarters eating, sleeping, and working side by side. The yachting industry attracts a diverse mix of people: young, ambitious individuals, some carrying personal challenges or complicated pasts. Many have worked hard to reach the sea, only to find themselves in an environment where the rules are blurred, isolation is common, and accountability can be lacking. Add long hours, confined spaces, hierarchy, and alcohol into the mix, and the result can be a volatile environment. “Ensuring proper vetting when hiring can make a world of difference. It might not be the full solution to keeping every crew member safe, but it’s a strong step in the right direction, modernising some of the industry’s more old-fashioned hiring practices.” Crew Pass has developed an online platform to assess possible new crew members.
“At Metstrade, our goal is to showcase the latest version of our platform. Captains and employers can now easily vet and manage their crew, with streamlined tools to check for possible criminal background history, authenticate certificates, organise crew by vessel, assign staff roles for inter-management, and customise vetting checks for a more thorough hire. These can include civil checks, enhanced online screening, and bankruptcy checks.” Amelia adds the pay-off: “Because in yachting, compliance isn’t just another box to tick, it’s your first line of defence.”
Pitching for funding
Additional to the Zones, the upcoming edition of Metstrade will also feature the second Startup Pitch Competition. Five startups get the chance to pitch their innovations live on stage to a panel of industry experts and investors. Pitches will be judged on criteria such as originality, scalability, market potential, and industry impact. Pitching starting entrepreneurs get exposure and access to investors. A winner is chosen by the panel, which does not automatically mean that they will invest however. The winning startup will have the option to either participate again as a startup or register for a stand at Metstrade 2026 with a special discount. The Startup Pitch Competition will take place on the final day of the show, Thursday 20th November 2025 from 14:45–16:15 in the Metstrade Stage.
for a brief overview of ALL the participating startups at Metstrade 2025, see: https://www.metstrade.com/zones/startups
