Yachting Ventures Startup Pitch Competition Returns on Day Two of Metstrade
Yachting Ventures is pleased to announce the return of its Startup Pitch Competition at Metstrade 2026, giving startups from across the leisure marine and superyacht sectors the opportunity to pitch live to an audience of investors, industry experts, corporate partners and media.
Thursday, 2 July 2026
New timing and format
The competition will take place on Wednesday 18th November from 12:30 PM to 1:15 PM, having moved from its previous final-day slot to a new lunchtime position on Day Two of the show. The change has been made to maximise attendance from exhibitors and visitors alike, giving participating startups greater visibility and the opportunity to present in front of a larger audience of industry decision-makers, investors and potential partners.Since its launch in 2023, the competition has become a fixture of the Metstrade Startup Programme, with previous editions attracting strong investor interest, sparking strategic conversations and helping founders build valuable industry connections. For 2026, the format has been further enhanced with a dedicated networking session immediately following the competition from 1:15 PM to 1:45 PM. Drinks and refreshments will be served on the catering terrace adjacent to the theatre, providing founders, investors and industry professionals with an informal setting to continue conversations after the pitches.
Industry impact and programme context
“Moving the competition to Wednesday lunchtime allows us to create a bigger moment around the event and attract an even larger audience,” said Gabbi Richardson, Founder of Yachting Ventures. “The dedicated networking session afterwards gives founders more time to connect with investors, partners and industry professionals, helping to turn conversations into meaningful relationships and future opportunities.”The competition forms part of the wider Metstrade Startup Programme, organised by Yachting Ventures in partnership with Metstrade. This year’s programme will bring together some of the most exciting emerging companies from around the world, with dedicated exhibition space in both the Leisure Marine Startup Area and Superyacht Startup Area.
Prizes and participation details
The winning startup will receive a comprehensive promotional package designed to accelerate visibility and growth within the marine industry. Prizes will include:
- Potential investment
- An interview with Ben Taylor Media
- A news story in IBIPLUS on the day of the event
- 1-year free subscription to IBI PLUS market intelligence platform and daily newsletter
- Promotion across Metstrade and Yachting Ventures marketing channels
- Discounted exhibition stand at Metstrade 2027
Participating startups will pitch before a panel of investors and industry experts, who will evaluate entries based on innovation, market opportunity, traction, scalability and potential industry impact.
There is a participation fee of €350 per startup. While priority will be given to companies exhibiting within the Metstrade Startup Programme, a limited number of additional places may be available to selected startups from the wider industry.
Applications are now open, and can be made here.
