The startup SeaRebbel, creator of a revolutionary low-cost autopilot that can be installed on the vast majority of boats, has won the Blue Start Pitching Competition, a contest organized within the framework of The Balearic Superyacht Forum to decide the best innovative company in the nautical sector.
The competition, organized by the Balearic Marine Cluster, had a preliminary phase where a large number of companies were presented. Yesterday afternoon, the final phase was held at the Palma Auditorium, attended by the top six projects, as the closing of the first edition of The Balearic Superyacht Forum.
A representative from each of the companies had five minutes to present their ideas and the strategic plans for expansion of the firm to a group of sector experts. Attendees could vote for their favorite proposal using their smartphones through a QR code.
SeaRebbel’s project was defended by Joana Llull, a yacht captain and e-commerce expert, who presented their MobilePilot. It is an advanced autopilot with artificial intelligence capabilities that allows for the planning of maritime routes.
Joana Llull explained that it is a plug & play device that can be easily installed by the boat owner and adapts to almost all small and medium-sized pleasure boats. “Additionally, the device can be connected to any mobile phone, allowing us to control the boat through it,” pointed out the yacht captain.
The winners received a check for 5,000 euros from Silvia Delgado, director of the Balearic Islands Business Innovation Institute (IDI), and Pedro Suasi, manager of the Balearic Marine Cluster. Additionally, the prize includes a stand at the next edition of the Palma International Boat Show, a year’s subscription to the Balearic Marine Cluster and Yachting Ventures, and mentorship through the acceleration program of the Directorate General of Business of the Government of the Balearic Islands.
The other finalists of this Blue Start Pitching Competition were Toroi Marine, which presented an electric propulsion system for the automated docking of small boats; SafetyCraft, a shipyard that manufactures boats with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) that are more resistant and 100% recyclable; KBA Safety First, creators of an application that predicts breakdowns in boats and anticipates them before they occur; Seawex, a technological solution to monitor the occupancy of transient moorings, and the shipyard V2 Boats, which designs and builds electric catamarans using 3D printing.
The first edition of The Balearic Superyacht Forum was organized by the Balearic Marine Cluster and The Superyacht Forum. This internationally-focused event was made possible thanks to the sponsorship of Astilleros de Mallorca, Baltic Yachts Service & Refit, BWA Yachting, Evolution Yachts Agents, Hill Robinson, Nautipaints, Ocibar Marinas Singulares, Pinmar, and STP Shipyard Palma, and had the institutional support of the Consell de Mallorca and the Palma International Boat Show.
