A key element of the green transformation in the industry is financing the large-scale investments required in the coming years and engaging new players.
On Monday, January 23, the blue innovation dock at boot Düsseldorf gave four start-ups from different sectors within the boating industry the opportunity to present their products. The five-member jury, consisting of Laurent Probst (Partner, PwC Luxembourg), Gabriella Richardson (Founder & CEO, Yachting Ventures), Emily Penn (Director, eXXpedition & Skipper & Ocean Advocate), Dr. Clyde Hutchinson (General Partner, Team ABC Ventures), Idan Cohen (CEO, Pick A Pier), selected a winner and awarded the boot Düsseldorf prize to the company Seares. It gives the company the opportunity to showcase itself in 2024 at boot Düsseldorf.
Giorgio Cucè (CEO) presented the pioneering product of his start-up Seares. Hydraulic mooring dampers are designed to make the time boats spend in marinas safer and more sustainable. The hydraulic dampers guarantee stability when mooring boats, reducing the risk of mooring damage. The scope of application is not limited to the boating industry. The Seares dampers can be used in all maritime sectors against damage caused by wave action, for example also in offshore wind farms and aquaculture. In addition, the dampers can generate sustainable energy using wave motion. And the sustainability aspect pursued by the company is also evident in the manufacturing process. The dampers are made from recyclable materials.
"Making Sealife easy" is the motto of the start-up Seasy, according to Lucas Unterweger (CCO). The company has set itself the task of simplifying the exchange of information between boaters and marinas. While on the one hand a "marina finder" provides an overview of marinas and their capacity, the app's 300,000 users can submit or read reviews and ratings. A sustainability seal provides additional information on the implementation of criteria such as waste disposal and the availability of green energy. In addition, the app provides information on environmentally friendly behavior inside and outside marinas, no-anchoring zones and national parks. The "Marinamanager" platform helps marinas organize bookings and their own work.
Sustainability in marinas and especially improving water quality is the goal of Clean Earth Rovers. The company developed a cleaning robot that autonomously collects marine debris from the water surface. Michael Arens (Founder & CEO) presented it in his pitch. The robot is powered by solar energy generated by panels on the surface. At the same time, the rover collects data about the water quality in the harbor basins. The results of the survey can be monitored on the accompanying app.
Performance on or above the water is the promise Edorado's boat. Fast electric foiling is the development with which the company aims to revolutionize the speedboat market. The boat promises maximum speed combined with a long range and low energy consumption, as Godert van Hardenbroek (Founder) declared. With fully retractable wings, an automatic anchoring system, a bathing platform and dual electric propulsion, the boat offers easy handling and also safety on the water.
