Yachting Ventures plans to return to the International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition & Conference (IBEX) in Tampa, Florida in October 2026 with the IBEX Start-Up Pavilion.
The pavilion is due to take place at the Tampa Convention Center from 6- 8 October 2026. It is the third year in a row that Yachting Ventures, a global hub for startups and scaleups in the leisure marine industry, has hosted the pavilion at IBEX.
The IBEX Start-Up Pavilion will again sit outside the first-floor exhibition hall.
Applications for the IBEX Start-Up Pavilion 2026 are now open.
Companies that took part in the 2025 pavilion included Cohesive Robotics, iWarranty, OceanVault, BoatPlanet, Doubledash, 3D-Boats and Neptune-PV. The businesses represented sectors including software, manufacturing technology, marine security and boating services.
Jorge Moreno, CCO of 3D-Boats, was a participant in the 2025 edition. “Being part of the Yachting Ventures cohort at IBEX was a game-changer for 3D Boats,” he says. “Gabbi [Richardson] and her team provided us with a strategic platform and an immediate sense of credibility that is hard to build alone.
“By hosting us in their booth, Yachting Ventures facilitated high-level introductions that have directly accelerated our entry into the North American market and connected us with the industry’s most influential stakeholders. We couldn’t have asked for a better gateway into the US marine tech ecosystem.”
The 2026 programme is expected to include networking events alongside the return of the Start-Up Pitch Competition. The competition gives fundraising companies an opportunity to present to investors and industry representatives.
“We’re excited to be returning to IBEX for another year and continuing to build on what has quickly become a valuable platform for marine innovation in North America,” says Gabbi Richardson, founder of Yachting Ventures.
“Each year we’ve seen stronger engagement from the US market, increasing investor interest and more appetite from established marine companies to collaborate with startups. For founders looking to gain visibility, build partnerships and better understand the American market, IBEX offers an incredibly valuable entry point.”
Mary Velline, IBEX show director, adds: “We’re thrilled to have Yachting Ventures bringing the Start-Up Pavilion to IBEX once again in 2026.
“The Pavilion has become an exciting destination for emerging marine innovation, and the return of the Start-Up Pitch Competition adds another dynamic layer to that experience. The competition gives high-potential companies a meaningful spotlight while offering attendees and potential investors a first look at products and ideas that could help shape the future of the marine industry. We’re looking forward to another year of the great energy this programme brings to the show.”
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