Yachting Ventures launches Startup Zone at Genoa Boat Show

Yachting Ventures has partnered with the Genoa Boat Show to introduce an International Startup Zone and Startup Demo Day at this year’s event, taking place from 1-6 October 2026. The initiative will provide exhibition space for 10 start-ups from across the international leisure marine sector.

The Genoa Boat Show is entering its 66th edition. According to figures supplied by the organisers, the 2025 event attracted 124,248 visitors and more than 1,000 exhibitors.

The International Startup Zone will be located at the entrance to the Palasport and form part of the show’s Young Generation Programme, hosted within the Blue Arena.

The Blue Arena is the Genoa Boat Show’s hub for initiatives spanning boating, innovation, maritime culture, institutions, education and inclusion. It is intended to encourage dialogue and knowledge sharing between students, professionals, enthusiasts and other visitors to the show.

Three dedicated start-up areas are planned within the Young Generation Hub for 2026. Yachting Ventures will curate the International Startup Zone alongside the existing ITA Agency Startup and Ligurian Startup zones.

Each participating company will receive a dedicated 2m² exhibition space for static product demonstrations and access to a shared networking lounge. According to Yachting Ventures, the participation package will also include press releases, social media promotion, newsletter coverage and other marketing activity before, during and after the event.

The organisers expect the three start-up areas to attract investors, exhibitors, journalists, innovation organisations and industry representatives.

The exhibition programme will culminate on Saturday 3 October with a Demo Day on the terrace of the Blue Pavilion. Participating founders will present their businesses to an audience expected to include investors, Genoa Boat Show exhibitors, journalists and invited industry representatives.