Our Startup Spotlight series introduces you to the creative minds in our community, sharing their unique stories and ideas. This week, we put the spotlight on Francesco Parazzoli, founder of Boats Connect, a platform that simplifies sailing holiday bookings by connecting travellers with verified skippers and charter operators through AI matching and blockchain verification technology.

What’s your story? How did you come up with the idea for your business?

As a long-time skipper myself, I saw how fragmented and inefficient the current booking process is, for both travellers and operators. I wanted to simplify the experience, bring more transparency, and empower small operators and freelance skippers with the tools they deserve. 

Why does the industry need the solution you’re providing?

The sailing tourism industry is full of passion and potential, but it’s still stuck in the past when it comes to digital tools and transparency. Booking a sailing holiday often means navigating a maze of outdated websites, back and forth emails and unclear information about prices, availability, or even the credentials of the skipper. As a skipper myself, I’ve seen this first-hand, both from the client’s side and the professional’s side.

That’s why I created Boats Connect. The goal is to bring trust, simplicity, and innovation to this space. With AI, we can help users find the right experience for them, and with blockchain, we can finally bring transparency and verification where it matters, especially when people are trusting their holidays (and safety) to someone at sea. The industry doesn’t just need another listing platform, it needs a smarter, safer, and more human way to connect people to the world of sailing.

What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?

What I’ve enjoyed most is the sense of purpose and ownership that comes with building something from the ground up. Starting Boats Connect has given me the chance to take a real problem I experienced personally and try to solve it in a way that could help others, not just clients, but also fellow skippers and small operators who are often overlooked in this industry.

There’s also something incredibly energising about learning new things every day. 

One moment you’re deep in product design, the next you’re pitching to investors or solving a tech issue you never thought you’d face. It’s challenging, of course, but also incredibly rewarding. And above all, I’ve loved the conversations: hearing from users, partners and other founders who share the same passion for the sea and for innovation. It makes the long hours and uncertainties feel absolutely worth it.

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What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning?

In the beginning, the biggest challenge was turning a clear vision into something concrete especially with limited resources and a small team. I knew exactly what kind of experience I wanted to create with Boats Connect, but translating that into a functioning product meant learning to juggle everything: strategy, technology, branding, partnerships, legal frameworks… often all in the same day.

Another big challenge was gaining credibility in an industry that still relies heavily on personal networks and traditional ways of doing things. Convincing charter companies and skippers to trust a new platform wasn’t easy, especially one that talks about AI and blockchain, which can sound abstract or intimidating. I had to learn how to communicate the value in simple, relatable terms and prove that our goal isn’t to replace anyone, but to support and elevate the ecosystem.

What’s next for your business? Where do you see it in 3-5 years?

Right now, we’re focused on launching the Boats Connect platform and growing our network of verified skippers and charter partners. The goal is to offer a seamless, trustworthy way for people to discover and book sailing holidays, with the kind of user experience they’d expect from any modern travel platform, but tailored to the unique world of boating.

In 3 to 5 years, I see Boats Connect becoming a key player in the sailing tourism ecosystem. Not just a booking tool, but a full-service hub that connects travellers, skippers, and operators in a way that adds value for everyone. We also plan to expand into other verticals, like training, professional networking for crew, and even yacht sales, using the same tech-driven approach. Ultimately, I want Boats Connect to help bring sailing to a wider audience making it more accessible, more transparent, and more sustainable, while still preserving the authenticity and spirit of life at sea.

Any advice for entrepreneurs just starting out in this space?

My biggest advice is: be patient, be persistent and stay close to the people you’re building for. The marine industry is full of incredible opportunities, but it can also be slow to adopt new technology and resistant to change. Don’t get discouraged if things take time: relationships matter a lot in this space and trust is earned over the long term.

Also, spend as much time as you can talking to users: skippers, charter companies, travellers. The more you listen, the better your product will be. It’s easy to get caught up in tech or features, but solving real problems is what makes a startup succeed.

And a fun one—what’s a quote or some words that you live by?

One quote I always come back to is: “A ship in harbour is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” It reminds me that comfort zones are nice, but growth only happens when you take the risk to head out into open water, whether it’s in sailing or in building a company. It’s scary sometimes, but that’s where the adventure (and the learning) really begins.