Electric foiling and sustainable mobility
Foiling and electric propulsion are natural allies: efficiency extends range and reduces energy use. Increasingly, though, comfort - smoother rides, less slamming, better passenger experience - is as important as efficiency in driving adoption. Still, lifecycle impacts and recyclability remain critical questions. Is electric foiling the gateway to sustainable and comfortable boating, or just a premium niche?
Speakers
Dr. Mike Peasgood is a serial entrepreneur and technology leader with a track record of building companies at the forefront of innovation. After earning his PhD in mechanical systems engineering from the University of Waterloo, Mike co-founded Aeryon Labs, where he helped pioneer the development of advanced unmanned aerial systems. Aeryon grew into a global leader in industrial-grade drones before its acquisition by FLIR Systems in 2019.
Building on that success, Mike founded ENVGO to bring aerospace-level engineering to the water. ENVGO is delivering hydrofoiling control technology and AI-enabled navigation systems that make boating cleaner, safer, and higher-performing. Its flagship NV1, a 25-foot electric hydrofoiling cruiser, demonstrates the thrill and efficiency of “flight over water,” while the company also partners with leading boat manufacturers to accelerate the industry’s transition to sustainable performance.
Luigi is senior project manager in the Ships department (Division Yachts) at MARIN. He graduated with a MSC Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from University Federico II of Naples (Italy) in 2012, and has been working in the Netherlands at MARIN since 2013 as a project manager concerning powering and seakeeping aspects (involving design advice, hull form optimization, performance predictions with CFD and/or model testing). Luigi has a deep interest into the ship design from a multidisciplinary point of view and into the possibilities of continuous integration of innovations in the ship design itself. Most of the free time is still spent in the water with watersports such as kitesurf, kitefoiling and sailing.