Yachting Ventures, the global growth platform supporting innovation across leisure marine, has partnered with the Balearic Marine Cluster (BMC) to launch a new Innovation Exchange Session at this year’s Mediterranean Superyacht Forum (MSF) in Palma.

Taking place the day before the Palma International Boat Show (PIBS), the MSF is a key meeting point for professionals and investors looking to connect ahead of one of the Mediterranean’s most important yachting weeks.

Designed as an open and accessible industry gathering, the Innovation Exchange Session will run from 15:30 onwards in the main auditorium on Tuesday 28th April 2026, welcoming up to 300 attendees (including those without a ticket to the main conference) in an effort to broaden participation and accelerate collaboration across the Mediterranean superyacht ecosystem.

Hosted and moderated by Gabbi Richardson, Founder of Yachting Ventures, the afternoon will explore how emerging technologies and new business models are shaping the future of superyachting, before spotlighting practical solutions through a pitching showcase.

An afternoon exploring what the future holds

The afternoon will open with a panel discussion exploring The Role of Innovation in the Future of Yachting. It will bring together senior voices from across the industry for a high-level conversation exploring how innovation is redefining competitiveness, operational efficiency, and sustainability in the superyacht sector. 

This will be followed by a live pitch showcase, where 8 companies will deliver five-minute presentations focused on  scalable solutions for the superyacht market (yachts above 24 metres) across four categories: 

• AI & Digitalisation: Technologies enhancing efficiency, predictive maintenance, data-driven decision-making and smarter vessel management across the superyacht ecosystem.
• Onshore Operations: Innovations improving shipyard performance, refit coordination, supply chain optimisation and marina infrastructure.
• Offshore Operations: Solutions designed to enhance onboard performance, crew efficiency, safety and operational reliability at sea.
• Sustainability: Scalable approaches addressing emissions, energy optimisation, alternative materials, waste management and environmental compliance.

The afternoon will close with relaxed networking sundowners on the MSF terrace overlooking the marina, giving attendees the opportunity to continue conversations, make new connections, and build relationships ahead of PIBS.

Expanding the conversation beyond startups

Startups, scaleups, and corporates are all invited to apply to pitch at the Innovation Exchange Session, across the 4 categories. 

Importantly, this is not a showcase of ideas but a focused exchange designed to accelerate implementation, unlock collaboration and drive measurable progress across the superyacht sector.

While Yachting Ventures has traditionally focused on early-stage ventures, this collaboration acknowledges that technology is increasingly being developed by scaleups and forward-thinking corporates who recognise the need to innovate or fall behind.

“Startups continue to play a critical role, but innovation in yachting today is increasingly coming from multiple directions,” said Gabbi Richardson, Founder of Yachting Ventures.

“To reflect this, we’re beginning to expand our focus and content beyond pure early-stage startups to also support more established ventures, and the MSF is the perfect platform to begin those conversations.”

“The yachting industry is undergoing significant changes, and innovation driven by emerging companies has the potential to become a real game changer,” said Pedro Suasi, Director of Balearic Marine Cluster.

“At Balearic Marine Cluster, we actively foster innovation and entrepreneurship within the sector, and we believe that the Mediterranean Superyacht Forum, bringing together some of the industry’s leading voices, provides an excellent platform to showcase the new technologies shaping the future of the industry.” 

How to get involved

If you are a company building a solution ready to enter or scale within the superyacht market, this is your opportunity to present directly to the decision-makers who matter in the sector. Applications will be reviewed to ensure participating companies represent high-quality, disruptive solutions relevant specifically to the superyacht sector.

The application deadline is 25th March 2026, and you can apply here.

If you are a shipyard, management company, supplier, investor, or institutional stakeholder, this is your opportunity to discover which solutions will shape the future of yachting. Identify scalable technologies before they reach mass adoption and connect directly with the founders and teams behind them.

Tickets are priced at €30 and you can purchase them here. 

For additional information, please reach out to hello@yachtingventures.co