Yachting Ventures partners with Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous
Yachting Ventures has renewed its partnership with M3 Monaco to identify, support and present innovations set to influence the next phase of global marina infrastructure at the sixth edition of the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous.
Scheduled for 20–21 September 2026 at the Yacht Club de Monaco, ahead of the Monaco Yacht Show, the event will convene marina operators, start-ups, investors, engineers, architects and waterfront developers focused on delivering smarter, more sustainable marina projects worldwide.
The 2026 edition will introduce a revised programme structure aimed at better supporting startups at different stages of maturity while strengthening pathways toward real-world deployment.
Organised by M3 Monaco, the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous combines startup pitches, expert panels, networking sessions and curated one-to-one meetings designed to facilitate collaboration between infrastructure developer and operators and technology providers.
Innovation categories for 2026
As part of the collaboration, Yachting Ventures will once again lead the international scouting process, identifying startups developing solutions across key areas of marina innovation, including:
- Smart marina infrastructure and digitalisation
- Energy management and electrification
- Water management, treatment and recycling technologies
- Environmental monitoring and sustainability solutions
- Mobility and dockside logistics
- Automation, data platforms and connectivity
- Smart services enhancing marina operations and user experience
- Bio-based construction materials
Revised evaluation framework for participating startups and scaleups
Gabriella Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures, says: “This event brings together the exact stakeholders founders need to meet – marina operators, investors and infrastructure partners – and we’re very happy to support an initiative that creates focused conversations leading to real pilots and commercial adoption.
“As waterfronts become smarter and more connected, marinas are emerging as testing grounds for technologies, many adapted from adjacent sectors.”
A key update this year is the introduction of a new startup and scaleup evaluation framework, allowing applicants to self-identify as either pre-revenue or post-revenue companies during the application process.
The change follows feedback from investors, jury members and industry experts, recognising that early-stage prototypes require different evaluation criteria compared to more commercially established businesses. The distinction will also enable more targeted engagement across the ecosystem:
- Pre-revenue startups will gain exposure to angel investors, pilot opportunities and marina partners seeking early innovation.
- Post-revenue companies will be positioned for commercial partnerships, venture investment and international market expansion.
In addition to receiving expert and investor feedback, selected innovators will benefit from enhanced visibility through inclusion on the official event website and in the digital e-catalogue. They may also benefit from a dedicated exhibition space at the Yacht Club de Monaco, offering direct exposure to industry decision-makers and international stakeholders.
Mr. Jose Marco Casellini, CEO of M3 Monaco, adds: “At M3 Monaco, our ambition is to accelerate the integration of innovation into waterfront projects and daily marina operations. Guided by our motto, sustainability is the goal, innovation is the tool, and Smart Marina Rendezvous is the accelerator, we bring together the marina and yachting ecosystem to move solutions from discussion to real-world deployment.”
Interested startups and scale-ups have until 18 March to apply for participation.
Apply to take part in the event and a member of the Yachting Ventures team will reach out with next steps.
