Yachting Ventures has announced the first group of startups set to exhibit in its two dedicated startup areas at Metstrade 2026, taking place at RAI Amsterdam from 17-19 November.
The Metstrade Startups Area, located in Hall 5, will feature emerging companies developing products, technologies and services for the wider leisure marine industry.
Marine startups exhibiting at Metstrade
The first confirmed exhibitors are:
- Vital Lyfe
- Sway
- Northern Light
- Tonjo
- Kaiman Marine
- WOW – Works on Water
- Primum
- Fetch
- NZeroWax
- SensiBlue
- Cadentia Technologies
- Boot Experte Costa Brava
- Marine Management
- OZ Venture – Sea Mop
A separate Superyacht Startups Area in Hall 8 will focus on early-stage businesses developing solutions for the superyacht sector. Its first confirmed exhibitors are:
- Sea·it
- Zeafarer
- Massive Marine
- The Galley Table
- MAIT Tech
- Leak Stop Gun
The two areas are designed to give Metstrade 2026 startups access to the wider exhibition audience, including manufacturers, distributors, investors, shipyards, yacht managers and other marine industry professionals. Alongside the areas, Yachting Ventures will again host a pitching competition on the Wednesday followed by a networking session.
Tessa Meijer, exhibition manager at Metstrade, says the level of interest in the startup programme reflects continued interest in innovation across the sector.
“The rapid growth of our startup programme over recent years has been remarkable, and the level of interest we have already received for 2026 demonstrates the appetite for innovation across the marine industry.
“At Metstrade, we are committed to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs as they bring fresh thinking, new technologies and solutions that will help shape the future of yachting and the wider marine industry,” she says.
Fort Insurance confirmed as official sponsor
Fort Insurance has also been confirmed as the official sponsor of both startup areas at Metstrade 2026. The sponsorship continues the company’s partnership with Yachting Ventures and its involvement in initiatives supporting emerging businesses and professionals in the leisure marine sector.
Hugo Jacquot, founder of Fort Insurance, says: “Having been involved with initiatives such as Young Professionals in Yachting for many years, I have seen first-hand the importance of supporting the next generation of talent and businesses in our industry.
“The yachting sector thrives on strong relationships, fresh ideas and a willingness to innovate, all of which are values we share at Fort Insurance. This is why we are proud to continue our partnership with Yachting Ventures and support the startup programme at Metstrade.”
Gabbi Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures, adds that the sponsorship would help provide startups with greater exposure at the show.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Fort Insurance for once again supporting the full startup programme at Metstrade. Building a startup is never easy, and having an established company such as Fort Insurance actively invest in the next generation of marine businesses sends a powerful message.”
Yachting Ventures says a limited number of exhibited spaces remain available across both startup areas. Eligible startups can apply through the Metstrade website, with applications moving to a waiting list once remaining spaces have been allocated.
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