The Yachting Ventures community is home to a new generation of ambitious startup founders leading the way in leisure marine. Founders Under 33 features young entrepreneurs, diving into their journeys and predictions for the future. This week, we feature Matteo Senes, co-founder of Nauticare.io

What was the “aha” moment that led you to start your company?

The idea for Nauticare came to me while managing and upgrading an old sailboat from the 1980s. I quickly became overwhelmed by the complexity of keeping track of essential aspects such as documents, maintenance, and finances. My search for a software solution was disappointing, as everything available was outdated, unintuitive, and far from user-friendly. 

Frustrated, I decided to develop my own solution. Later, Lyam Last (now co-founder of Nauticare) reached out, and together we began exploring the potential to pivot the concept to focus on larger yachts and superyachts. As we spoke with captains, crew, and other industry professionals, it became clear that there was a large market gap. This realisation solidified our vision for Nauticare, a smarter, intuitive, all-in-one platform designed to simplify yacht management.

What has been your biggest challenge as a young founder in this industry?

One of the biggest challenges has been earning credibility in an industry that values experience, tradition, and established relationships. Yachting is notoriously slow to adopt new technology, and many decision-makers prefer to rely on long-standing solutions rather than take a chance on innovation. As a young founder without decades of industry experience, I have to work even harder to prove that Nauticare isn’t just another startup but a necessary advancement that solves real pain points for yacht captains, crew, and management agencies.

Building trust with key stakeholders requires persistence, industry knowledge, and a track record of delivering value. We have addressed this challenge by actively engaging with industry professionals, involving them in the development process, gathering their feedback, and ensuring that Nauticare is not only intuitive and efficient but also aligned with the real needs of the market.

Where would you be without your business?

If I had not started Nauticare, I think I would have started another startup to be honest. I would still be deeply involved in studying and exploring new business opportunities. Identifying underserved markets and solving problems has always been a passion of mine. I would likely be searching for gaps in the nautical industry or different industries, looking for ways to bring innovation where it is needed most.

Any advice for young aspiring entrepreneurs?

Just do it. There will never be a perfect moment to start, and the only way to learn, grow, and eventually succeed is by taking action. Nauticare is not my first startup, and each experience, whether a success or a failure, has been a stepping stone. Every challenge teaches something valuable, and the only way to truly learn is by trying, making mistakes, and improving along the way.

Entrepreneurship, when done right, is an incredible way to create a positive impact in the world. It is about solving real problems, making people’s lives better, and building something meaningful. While it can be stressful, unpredictable, and full of obstacles, it is also deeply rewarding, no matter the scale. If you are passionate about something and see an opportunity to make a difference, take the leap. You will never regret trying, but you might regret never starting.

What are you most looking forward to in 2025?

I am really excited about 2025! One of the biggest milestones will be launching Nauticare V.1 Beta, the result of over a year and a half of hard work, research, and development. Seeing real users interact with the platform, test its features, and integrate it into their daily operations is something I am really looking forward to. Their thoughts and feedback will be instrumental in helping us refine Nauticare, improve its functionality, and ensure we are truly solving the industry’s pain points.

Another major step in 2025 will be raising capital, as we plan to launch our first funding round. This will provide the resources needed to further develop the product, expand our team, and accelerate Nauticare’s growth in the yachting industry. It is going to be a pivotal year, and I cannot wait to see how Nauticare evolves and starts making a real impact!

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