Yachting Ventures startup pitch competition returns to METSTRADE

Taking place on November 21st from 14.45-15.45, the Start-Up Pitch Competition aims to highlight innovative solutions and offer marine start-ups opportunities to network with investors and potential partners.

Taking place from 19-21 November 2024 at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, METSTRADE is the world’s largest trade exhibition for marine equipment, materials, and systems. The event has become the most anticipated B2B trade show of the year for the marine industry and this year’s event is expected to attract over 1,400 exhibitors and thousands of visitors.

Following the success of last year’s event, Yachting Ventures, the global growth platform for start-ups in leisure marine, is once again partnering with METSTRADE to host a Start-Up Pavilion. This initiative reflects METSTRADE’s ongoing commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship with the pavilion featuring 15 start-ups throughout the 3-day event.

Calling all start-ups raising finance

As well as sourcing and inviting start-ups to exhibit at the Start-Up Pavilion, Yachting Ventures will once again host a pitch competition in the METSTRADE Theatre on the final day of the show, Thursday November 21st from 14.45-15.45. The competition provides 5 selected start-ups with the opportunity to present their product and business to a panel of industry experts and potential investors.

The competition drew significant interest last year and has proven immensely valuable with numerous introductions and investor connections facilitated off the back of the event. Two of the participants in 2023 secured funding from the lineup of investors sourced by Yachting Ventures.

Pitches will be evaluated by the judges based on criteria including uniqueness, market potential, scalability, and overall impact on the leisure marine industry. As well as potential funding, the winning team will receive a complimentary spot in the Start-Up Pavilion at the 2025 edition of METSTRADE. All participating start-ups will benefit from significant media coverage across the YV and METSTRADE social media channels.

Gabbi Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures said: "We are thrilled to once again be organising a pitch competition at METSTRADE and providing a platform for start-ups to present their ideas to a global audience of industry leaders, investors, and potential partners. Large equity investments were made off the back of the event last year, so there is real money on the table and that is exciting! Yachting Ventures is all about opening doors to collaborations that can shape the future of our industry, and the METSTRADE pitch competition does just that."

If your start-up is seeking funding, we encourage you to apply for a chance to pitch at METSTRADE 2024. The deadline for applications is Friday 11th October 2024. The selection process will be conducted by Yachting Ventures, who will carefully evaluate submissions and shortlist the most promising start-ups for the competition.

Start-ups can apply to pitch here