The International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference  announced that following a successful debut in 2024, Yachting Ventures is bringing back its popular Start-Up Pitch Competition to the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference on Wednesday October 8, 2025.

Designed to give Start-Ups in the marine space a platform to showcase their innovations, the competition offers a valuable opportunity for early-stage companies to gain exposure to investors, potential partners and industry leaders.

A key event in the marine calendar

IBEX 2025 will take place from October 7-9 in Tampa, Florida. As North America’s leading event for the recreational marine industry, IBEX hosts over 700 exhibitors and attracts more than 8,000 professionals, including boatbuilders, naval architects, designers and marine operators. The event is a key moment in the calendar for business development and networking across the US marine sector.

IBEX continues to support new technologies through its Start-Up Pavilion, which will again feature 12 selected companies. The Pavilion provides a central space within the show for start-ups to present their products and connect with the wider industry. It offers direct access to the US market and a chance to attract investment.

An invaluable opportunity for exposure

Start-ups featured in the Pavilion, selected by Yachting Ventures, will be given priority access to pitch at the competition. Taking place on Wednesday 8 October from 4-5:30 p.m. on the Main Stage, the session will feature four to five start-ups presenting to a panel of investors and industry experts.

Tampa, recently ranked the second-best US city for young entrepreneurs by Forbes, provides a strong backdrop for the competition. Yachting Ventures will work with local investors to form the judging panel, who will evaluate the pitches based on criteria including uniqueness, market potential, scalability and relevance to the marine sector.

“We’re looking forward to hosting our second pitch competition at IBEX and seeing what talent takes to the stage this year,” said Gabbi Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures said. “We’re assembling a strong panel of judges and are pleased to once again offer early-stage companies a platform to connect with the US marine industry and gain valuable feedback from investors and industry professionals.”

“The Start-Up Pitch Competition is fast-paced, high-impact, and packed with fresh thinking,” IBEX Show Director Mary Velline said. “It gives emerging companies a chance to pitch to real investors—and gives attendees a unique look into how the start-up and venture capital world operates. It’s an engaging, eye-opening experience that brings a new kind of energy to the show.”

Start-ups currently raising finance are invited to apply to pitch at IBEX 2025. The winning company will receive potential funding and media coverage across both Yachting Ventures and IBEX channels.