Yachting Ventures is bringing back its Start-Up Pitch Competition to the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) and to Metstrade.
The competition is designed to give start-ups in the marine space a platform to show their innovations, and provide the companies with exposure to investors, potential partners and industry leaders.
Yachting Ventures will work with local investors to form the judging panel, who will evaluate the pitches based on criteria including uniqueness, market potential, scalability and relevance to the marine sector.
The IBEX Start-Up Pitch Competition will take place on Wednesday 8 2025 featuring four or five start-ups presenting to a panel of investors and industry experts.
The Metstrade Startup Pitch Competition will take place on the final day of the show, Thursday 20th November 2025.
It’s a brilliant opportunity for start-ups looking to gain visibility and traction within the industry.
Gabbi Richardson
Start-ups currently raising finance are invited to apply to pitch for the competitions.
In addition to the pitch competitions, the Start-Up Pavilion at IBEX is to return in 2025, featuring 12 companies selected by Yachting Ventures.
In its third consecutive year partnering with Metstrade, Yachting Ventures, is expanding its presence.
For the first time, two Startup Pavilions will be hosted, one focused on leisure marine, and the second providing a dedicated space for Superyacht startups, with solutions for yachts over 24 metres in length, with a total of 25 start-ups set to exhibit during the three day event.
Investments
“The results speak for themselves, real investments have been made in previous years, and this competition continues to open doors for transformative collaborations,” said Gabbi Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity for start-ups looking to gain visibility and traction within the industry.”
IBEX 2025 will take place from 7 to 9 October in Tampa, Florida, with more than 700 exhibitors and more than 8,000 professionals attending.
Metstrade 2025 takes place at the RAI, Amsterdam, from 18 to 20 November.
