Yachting Ventures and the European Boating Industry have announced the expansion of their partnership at boot Düsseldorf 2025 to include a full “Startup Day.” boot Düsseldorf, the world’s largest yacht and watersports exhibition, has expanded their successful partnership with Yachting Ventures and European Boating Industry (EBI) to introduce a full “Startup Day” on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. The dedicated day provides a platform for innovative startups to showcase their solutions to leaders in the leisure marine industry. Following two successful years of the program in 2023 and 2024 at the Blue Innovation Dock, the expansion looks to offer more opportunities for startups to connect with investors and industry leaders. The “Startup Day” will begin at 1 p.m. with a keynote address, followed by the Startup Pitch Competition from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Five startups will present their innovations to a panel of industry experts and investors, with the investors also engaging in reverse pitches, giving the startups insights into investor priorities, and helping them tailor their approach. The program concludes with a panel discussion on current investment trends and challenges and a “Startup Happy Hour” at the Blue Innovation Dock Lounge. Yachting Ventures and EBI are inviting startups to apply for the pitch competition now, where they will be judged on criteria that includes uniqueness, market potential, scalability, and sustainability impact on the leisure marine industry. The winning startup will win a complimentary stand at boot Düsseldorf 2026 and extensive media coverage from Yachting Ventures and boot Düsseldorf. Startups are defined as companies that have been operating commercially for less than five year and/or have an annual turnover of less than €1 million. Yachting Ventures is the growth platform for startups in leisure marine, helping startups grow through events, fundraising, and promotion. EBI represents the recreational boating industry in Europe and looks to advance a sustainable boating and nautical tourism industry. boot Düsseldorf takes place from Jan. 18–26 and features more than 1,500 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors. Sign up for the pitch competition here!