Yachting Ventures (YV) and European Boating Industry (EBI) are once again joining forces to deliver an expanded Startup x Investor Day at boot Düsseldorf 2026, taking place on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, at the Blue Innovation Dock.

Building on the momentum of the previous 3 years of this collaboration, the event has grown into a must-attend gathering for startups and investors in leisure marine. Designed to spark collaboration, fuel innovation, and unlock investment opportunities, it offers a powerful platform for founders to meet investors face-to-face in a dynamic, open environment.

What to expect from the Startup x Investor Day

The day will open with a visionary keynote from Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO and Co-founder of Hefring Marine and longstanding Yachting Ventures community member, who will share insights from his fundraising journey. Based in Iceland, Hefring Marine completed a funding round in May 2024, raising €2.2 million in a Series A round led by Faber Ventures.

The Startup x Investor Day agenda will also feature:

• A pitch competition, where selected startups will showcase their innovations to a panel of investors.
• Reverse pitches, where investors share what they’re looking for, offering startups an invaluable perspective on how to attract funding.
• A founder–investor panel discussion, highlighting the realities of fundraising and growth in the marine sector.
• And finally, a Happy Hour networking session, providing a relaxed space for founders and investors to continue the conversation over drinks.

“Our Startup x Investor Day is all about breaking down barriers between founders and investors,” said Gabbi Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures.

“We’re building an open, community-driven space where startups can do more than just pitch — they can gain real insight into what investors are looking for. Our goal is for every founder to leave with genuine, lasting connections that help them grow.”

Philip Easthill, Secretary-General of EBI says: “Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of Europe’s boating sector. Through our collaboration with Yachting Ventures for the Blue Innovation Dock at boot Düsseldorf, we aim to connect visionary founders with investors who can help turn their ideas into sustainable growth.”

He continued: “The Startup x Investor Day has become a key moment at BID to highlight how the industry is evolving towards a more innovative and sustainable future.”

Read more: Yachting Ventures returns to Abu Dhabi International Boat Show 2025 with Innovation Zone

Pitch Competition Applications

Five startups will be selected to present their products and solutions to a panel of experienced investors and industry experts, evaluated on uniqueness, market potential, scalability, and sustainability impact.

The competition is an invaluable opportunity for startups seeking funding to pitch their ideas at the largest yacht and watersports show in the world. The show typically receives around 200,000 visitors from 120 countries and has more than 1,500 exhibitors from 67 nations.

The winning startup will receive a free stand at boot Düsseldorf in 2027, which will help them to gain traction and increase brand awareness. There will also be other exciting benefits including significant media coverage across both the Yachting Ventures, EBI and boot Düsseldorf media channels.

Applications open 27th October 2025 and close 4 December 2025. Interested startups can apply here or contact hello@yachtingventures.co for more information.