METSTRADE 2023: Industry must speed up for tech-savvy customers, says Boatmate

Boatmate is one of the 15 startups on show in the new Start-up Pavilion at this week’s METSTRADE show and offers marine businesses a fast-growing global technology platform to digitise, streamline sales operations, and enhance customer experiences.

Co-founder Murhat Gurhan says the Boatmate system is designed to be more scalable than others in the market. “We’ve heavily invested in cutting-edge technology to create a hassle-free platform that caters to both marine businesses and boaters,” he says. “Our platform is a marine business and boater-friendly, offering a range of features for free. When it comes to using paid solutions, we offer reasonable pricing. We take pride in our inclusive platform, product scalability, state-of-the-art technology, and customer-friendly pricing.”

To date, Boatmate has successfully onboarded over 250 marine businesses and more than 1,500 boaters. During summer 2023, Gurhan says the company conducted extensive tests with these ‘pioneer customers’.

“Boaters are delighted to have a single platform that provides all their boating needs and facilitates interactions with reliable marine businesses, resulting in an enhanced customer experience. Marine businesses benefit from a digital solution that drastically improves their customer service while keeping costs low. Our platform also helps marine businesses establish a strong online presence without the need for hefty investments, allowing them to secure payments instantly and efficiently.”

Gurhan says that in a traditionally rooted industry such as the marine sector, there are exciting opportunities for innovation and digital transformation. “The biggest opportunity lies in modernising the way marine businesses operate, connect with customers, and enhance their services,” he adds. “However, the biggest challenge we face is overcoming the resistance to change that is often found in traditional industries.”

Boatmate co-founder Murhat Gurhan

The company has witnessed, however, that though speed of adaption is slower, the modern boater is evolving and digitally savvy. “They are increasingly tech-savvy and expect seamless digital experiences. They are also more conscious of environmental sustainability and responsible boating practices. Boatmate is committed to staying ahead of these trends, adapting to the changing needs of our consumers, and ensuring that our platform continues to meet their evolving expectations,” says Gurhan.

This year, METSTRADE and Yachting Ventures are teaming up to introduce the new Start-Up Pavilion – a platform for emerging startups to showcase their latest products and technologies.