METSTRADE launches start-up pitching competition

A new pitching competition is launching as part of the inaugural Start-Up Pavilion at this year’s METSTRADE marine trade exhibition, which takes place in Amsterdam from 15-17 November 2023.

The competition is organised by maritime start-up hub Yachting Ventures, which says its primary objective is to nurture ground-breaking ideas and forge connections between promising start-ups, industry experts, investors, and potential partners.

METSTRADE’s inaugural Start-Up Pavilion will give space for 15 start-up companies to exhibit for the duration of the three-day event and showcase their new products and technologies.

The organisers have allocated a large space for the Start-Up Pavilion in Hall 7 (next to the new Foiling Pavilion), which will have the capacity for 15 start-ups and includes two terraces for meetings, networking and co-working.

Alongside sourcing the start-ups to participate in the Start-Up Pavilion, Yachting Ventures will also organise a pitching competition to take place in the METSTRADE Theatre on Friday 17 November 2023. The firm says the new competition aims to foster innovation and connect promising start-ups with industry experts, investors, and potential partners.

The pitching competition will involve 4-5 start-ups showcasing their products and solutions to a panel of investors and industry leaders on the final day of the show in the METSTRADE Theatre. The event will be judged by national and international investors, who are experts in the sector and are actively seeking investment opportunities in this space. The judges will evaluate the pitches based on criteria such as uniqueness, market potential, scalability, and overall impact on the leisure marine industry.

“The Start-Up Pitching Competition at METSTRADE is designed to bring together the brightest minds in the leisure marine industry, driving innovation and propelling the sector forward,” says Gabbi Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures. “We are thrilled to provide a platform where these start-ups can present their ideas to a global audience of industry leaders, investors, and potential partners, opening doors to collaborations that can shape the future of our industry.”

The winning team will receive a complimentary spot in the Start-Up Pavilion at the 2024 edition of METSTRADE, potential funding, and significant media coverage across both the Yachting Ventures and METSTRADE media channels.

Applications for the competition are now open, and the deadline for applications is 31 August 2023.