What Yachting Ventures does

Yachting Ventures London Ltd. is a London-based, founder-led private company founded in 2020 by Gabbi Richardson that operates a global growth platform for leisure marine startups and scaleups. Its core product is an application-only community membership (priced at £79 per month with a 14-day free trial, allowing up to two team members per company) hosted on Circle's community software, augmented by a public Startup Directory, a proprietary Investor Deal Room, and curated pitch opportunities for founders raising capital. Revenue is generated across four streams: recurring community subscriptions, event participation fees (e.g., €350 for the Metstrade Startup Pitch Competition), bespoke marketing services retainers, and structured accelerator programmes such as the five-week Summer Fundraising Bootcamp co-delivered with Ocean One Ventures.

The platform's primary customer segment is leisure marine startups and scaleups that have moved beyond the idea stage and need visibility, investor access, and trade-show introductions to grow; secondary segments are angel/VC/industry investors seeking vetted dealflow and boat-show organisers seeking startup activation partners. Distribution is anchored in long-standing preferred-partner relationships with at least nine leading global boat shows (IBEX, Metstrade, boot Düsseldorf, Cannes, Monaco, Dubai, Palma, Genoa, Abu Dhabi), where Yachting Ventures curates Startup Pavilions, Innovation Zones, and pitch competitions that double as customer acquisition channels and revenue-generating activations. Marketing reach spans a 20,000+ follower organic audience across LinkedIn, Instagram, segmented newsletters, and a Founder Podcast Series produced with Ben Taylor Podcast and Marine Industry News.

The company is founder-controlled, bootstrapped, employs 1–10 people, and is in the process of raising its own investment fund to deploy capital into member startups. To date the platform reports supporting 500+ startups across 25+ countries that have collectively raised over £500 million, although no company-level revenue, funding total, or valuation is publicly disclosed.

Name

Yachting Ventures

Legal name

Yachting Ventures London Ltd.

Website

https://yachtingventures.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Yachting Ventures is a London-based founder-led platform operating an application-only community, Investor Deal Room, and Startup Pavilion partnerships at 9+ leading global boat shows to help leisure marine startups gain visibility, secure introductions, and raise capital.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Community Membership: Monthly subscription at £79 per month for startup members, with a 14-day free trial. Membership is application-only and includes masterclasses, introductions, peer support, events, promotion, and investor access. Up to two team members per company can join under one membership.
2. Event Participation Fees: Startups pay participation fees to exhibit in Startup Pavilions and Zones at major boat shows (e.g., €350 for the Metstrade Startup Pitch Competition). Packages typically include exhibition space, networking sessions, and promotional support.
3. Boat Show Partnership Revenue: Revenue derived from co-hosting Startup Pavilions at IBEX, Metstrade, boot Düsseldorf, and other leading marine trade shows, including sponsorship and exhibition fees paid by startups.
4. Accelerator Programme Fees: The Summer Fundraising Bootcamp is a structured five-week programme (August–September 2026) for up to 10 startups, combining fundraising strategy, coaching, and a showcase opportunity at Genoa Boat Show. Programme applications reviewed by Yachting Ventures, Ocean One Ventures, and an independent advisory board.
5. Marketing Services: End-to-end communications packages for startups including social content, press outreach, newsletters, investor-focused guidance, and strategic sessions. Case study: supported ENVGO's $2M fundraise over an 8-month campaign resulting in 149% LinkedIn follower growth and 15+ press features.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Yachting Ventures operates an application-only community membership (£79/month) that gives leisure marine startups access to masterclasses, curated introductions, the Investor Deal Room, and a public Startup Directory. The platform layers on three additional paid service lines: marketing services (positioning, visibility campaigns, launch support), event partnerships at major boat shows (Startup Pavilions, Innovation Zones, Pitch Competitions), and the Summer Fundraising Bootcamp accelerator co-delivered with Ocean One Ventures.

Product overview

Yachting Ventures operates as a unified growth platform for leisure marine startups combining four core service pillars: community membership, marketing services, event partnerships, and fundraising support. The community membership (£79/month) provides access to masterclasses, peer support, the Investor Deal Room, and the startup directory. Marketing services offer positioning strategy, visibility campaigns, and launch support. Event partnerships provide exhibition opportunities at major boat shows including Metstrade, IBEX, and boot Düsseldorf through Startup Pavilions, Innovation Zones, and pitch competitions. The fundraising programme includes accelerator bootcamps and investor introductions. All services are integrated within a single platform designed to help marine startups gain visibility, build momentum, and raise capital.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Membership Subscription-based membership providing leisure marine startup founders access to masterclasses, curated introductions, peer support, the Investor Deal Room, the public Startup Directory, and ongoing growth opportunities. Priced at £79/month with 14-day free trial.
• Marketing Services End-to-end communications and marketing packages for marine startups including positioning, strategy, content and storytelling, press outreach, social promotion, newsletter distribution, and launch and growth campaigns, designed to build credibility and visibility with investors, partners, and customers.
• Event Partnerships (Startup Pavilions, Innovation Zones, Pitch Competitions) Co-hosted Startup Pavilions, Innovation Zones, and Pitch Competitions at the world's leading marine boat shows (Metstrade, IBEX, boot Düsseldorf, Cannes, Dubai, Palma, Monaco, Genoa, Abu Dhabi, Superyacht Technology Show), providing curated exhibition slots, pitching opportunities, and networking sessions for member startups, with startup participation fees (e.g. €350 for Metstrade Pitch Competition).
• Summer Fundraising Bootcamp Five-week accelerator programme combining fundraising strategy, pitch refinement, financial modelling, investor outreach, data room preparation, and one-to-one coaching, co-delivered with Ocean One Ventures, culminating with a Startup Zone showcase at Genoa Boat Show.
• Investor Deal Room Exclusive platform for founders raising capital in leisure marine to list their rounds and gain visibility among active investors; available only to community members raising capital.
• Startup Directory Publicly accessible online directory of vetted marine startups, enabling investors and industry stakeholders to discover and filter startups by geography and product category.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ startups supported since 2020, collectively raising £500M+
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers22 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ocean One VenturescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Co-development and co-delivery of the Summer Fundraising Bootcamp, a five-week accelerator programme (3 August – 4 September 2026) supporting up to 10 early-stage leisure marine startups with fundraising strategy, investor access, one-to-one coaching, and a showcase opportunity at the Genoa Boat Show. Managed by Gabbi Richardson (Yachting Ventures) and Dietlind Wittig, Managing General Partner & Co-Founder of Ocean One Ventures.
• Balearic Marine Cluster (BMC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2026Yachting Ventures and the Balearic Marine Cluster (BMC) co-organised the Innovation Exchange Session at the Mediterranean Superyacht Forum (MSF) in Palma (28 April 2026). The session featured a panel discussion on 'The Role of Innovation in The Future of Yachting' (moderated by Gabbi Richardson) and live pitches from 7 companies (Marine Weather, TowPro, IDOSY, Sarno Industries, Zeafarer, Sertec Marine, YachtMind). Ticket price: €30.
• IBEX (International BoatBuilders' Exhibition & Conference)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures hosts the IBEX Start-Up Pavilion at the Tampa Convention Center (6–8 October 2026), returning for its third consecutive year. The pavilion provides exhibition space, curated networking, and the Start-Up Pitch Competition for emerging marine companies seeking North American market access, investor connections, and OEM/dealer relationships. Mary Velline, IBEX Show Director, has endorsed the partnership.
• MetstradecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures co-organises the Metstrade Startup Programme, including the Startup Pitch Competition (Day Two, 18 November 2026, 12:30–1:45 PM) with dedicated networking session. The programme includes exhibition space in both the Leisure Marine Startup Area and Superyacht Startup Area. Prizes include potential investment, Ben Taylor Media interview, IBI PLUS promotional package, and discounted stand at Metstrade 2027. Since launch in 2023, the competition has attracted strong investor interest.
• boot DüsseldorfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures hosts Startup Day at boot Düsseldorf, the world's largest indoor boat show. The activation provides a dedicated platform for marine startups to showcase innovation to a global industry audience at the start of the year, aligning with Yachting Ventures' broader events strategy across Europe, Middle East, and the US.
• Dubai International Boat ShowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures hosts Founders Day and Innovation Zone at the Dubai International Boat Show, providing startups with exhibition space, warm introductions, and visibility in the Middle East marine market. The activation is supported by M3 Monaco and is designed to build early-stage investor and partner relationships in the region.
• Palma International Boat ShowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures hosts Innovation Corner at the Palma Boat Show, providing startups with a platform to build visibility and relationships within the European superyacht ecosystem. The event is also the filming location for the Founder Podcast Series in collaboration with Ben Taylor Podcast and Marine Industry News.
• Cannes Yachting FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures hosts startup activations at the Cannes Yachting Festival, providing exhibition and pitching opportunities for member companies (e.g., Ripple Boats, B-Craft product launch support). The event serves as a key European boating market entry point.
• Genoa International Boat Show (Salone Nautico)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew collaboration for 2026: Yachting Ventures and Genoa Boat Show are partnering to provide accelerator programme participants with priority access to the Startup Zone at the Genoa International Boat Show (1–6 October 2026). The Startup Zone forms part of a wider innovation-focused area bringing together startups, universities, training organisations, and emerging talent.
• Abu Dhabi Boat ShowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures hosts an Innovation Zone at the Abu Dhabi Boat Show, offering startups turnkey exhibition services including a fully prepared area and additional networking opportunities outside the show floor. Emil Finne, Elvene, credited the activation for opening doors that would have otherwise remained closed.
• Superyacht Technology ShowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures hosts Innovation Corner / Superyacht Startups area at the Superyacht Technology Show, offering startups direct access to people specifying and adopting innovation onboard superyachts. Jodie Clarke of SOS (Charter Guest) exhibited at the Superyacht Startups area in Hall 8 at Metstrade.
• M3 MonacocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerM3 Monaco organises the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous at the Yacht Club de Monaco (20–21 September), recognised as the world's leading event for smart and sustainable marina innovation. Yachting Ventures supports the event's marine startup ecosystem. M3 Monaco also partnered with Yachting Ventures on the Dubai International Boat Show Founders Day activation. Victor Meyer is Event & Sales Manager at M3 Monaco.
• Volvo PentaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent collaboration with Volvo Penta in Miami. Yachting Ventures brings curated startup activations to Volvo Penta-sponsored events, providing marine startups with access to industry decision-makers and technology partners.
• Mediterranean Superyacht ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures co-curated the Innovation Exchange Session at the Mediterranean Superyacht Forum 2026 in Palma (28 April). The session brought together founders, investors, and industry stakeholders for panel discussion, live pitches, and networking reception.
• Genoa Boat ShowcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew partnership for 2026: Genoa Boat Show provides priority access to the curated Startup Zone for Summer Fundraising Bootcamp participants (1–6 October 2026), creating visibility at one of Europe's most established boating events as part of a wider innovation zone including startups, universities, and training organisations.
• Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina RendezvouscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYachting Ventures supports the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (Yacht Club de Monaco, 20–21 September), the world's leading smart marina event. The Rendezvous brings together marina operators, startups, investors, architects, and policymakers. Over 150 innovations, 42 marinas across 19 countries, and 34 architectural proposals have been showcased across editions. Yachting Ventures ecosystem companies benefit from exposure to this premier marina innovation network.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• Station F: World's largest startup campus in Paris hosting hundreds of accelerators and programmes. Comparable as an ecosystem / community platform, though not marine-vertical or accelerator-operator focused.
• BlueInvest: European Commission-backed investment and innovation platform for the sustainable blue economy. Adjacent as a marine-startup support ecosystem with investor matching, working in the same vertical.

Broad incumbents

• Techstars: Global, multi-vertical startup accelerator operating more than 50 programmes worldwide. Comparable as a general accelerator model competitor that could expand into marine tech verticals.
• Y Combinator: Premier general-purpose accelerator with global brand and investor network. Relevant as the high-end benchmark of accelerator-driven founder support and the most likely large entrant into marine tech.
• Plug and Play: Vertical-specific corporate innovation platform running industry-themed accelerators with brand and corporate partners. Comparable in structure as a vertical accelerator plus deal-flow marketplace.
• Founders Factory: Operator of vertical-specific accelerators built with corporate partners and follow-on capital. Directly comparable structure to YV's mix of vertical focus, brand partnerships and accelerator cohorts.
• Antler: Global early-stage investor and accelerator operating founder-residency and cohort programmes across multiple geographies. Comparable as a recurring-cohort accelerator with investor syndication.
• MassChallenge: Large-scale, equity-free global accelerator with industry-specific tracks (including mobility/marine) and a sizeable alumni network. Comparable model around non-dilutive support, community and corporate partnerships.

Direct peers

• Ocean One Ventures: Marine-focused venture capital firm co-developing the Summer Fundraising Bootcamp with Yachting Ventures. Closest comparable — same leisure-marine vertical, founder coaching and investor access model.

Regional players

• M3 (Monaco): Monaco-based organizer of the Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous and a co-actor in marine innovation activations (Dubai Founders Day). Adjacent rather than direct: comparable audience of marine innovators and superyacht ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yachtingventures
• Instagraminstagram.com/yachtingventures
• Facebookfacebook.com/yachtingventures-100064918622877

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yachting Ventures