IDEAS, DESIGNS AND INNOVATION: START-UPS SET TO REDEFINE THE BOATING INDUSTRY MAKE THEIR DEBUT AT THE GENOA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

DAY 3: CROWDS OF VISITORS ENLIVENED THE DOCKS AND PAVILIONS AS THE 65TH GENOA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW ENTERED ITS THIRD DAY

Today, the 65th edition of the Genoa International Boat Show reaffirmed its vocation as a driving force for innovation, shining the spotlight on the most promising start-ups in the boating industry. In the afternoon, the stunning panoramic Terrace atop the Show's Blue Pavilion hosted "The Boating Industry's Innovative Start-Ups and SMEs", an event promoted by the Italian Marine Industry Association in cooperation with the Italian Trade Agency, an institution devoted to the international promotion and expansion of Italian companies.

Twelve entrepreneurs took the stage to present their projects: ten were selected directly by the Italian Marine Industry Association and the Italian Trade Agency - BELISAMA YACHTS with Cybercat, ANTARES ELECTROLYSIS, OHOSKIN, BLUE GOLD, KOSMOS FOIL-bike, ELECRTIFLY, NICOLAZZARO SRLS, NEXT 3D PRINTED FOOTWEAR, GENE.SYS, LAKENERGY - joining two other innovative start-ups presenting equally high-tech solutions.

Twelve entrepreneurs took the stage to present their projects: ten were selected directly by the Italian Marine Industry Association and the Italian Trade Agency - BELISAMA YACHTS with Cybercat, ANTARES ELECTROLYSIS, OHOSKIN, BLUE GOLD, KOSMOS FOIL-bike, ELECRTIFLY, NICOLAZZARO SRLS, NEXT 3D PRINTED FOOTWEAR, GENE.SYS, LAKENERGY - joining two other innovative start-ups presenting equally high-tech solutions.

Ideas set to become the future of boating

The topics covered a vast range of innovations from modular cleaning boats to the production of green hydrogen, to 100% Made in Italy sustainable coatings that replace animal skins with local agricultural by-products. Another key idea allows for the digitalisation of a boat's life cycle, with the creation of a real "digital passport".

The dedicated event kicked off with an opening address by Alessandro Gianneschi, Vice President of the Italian Marine Industry Association, who stated: "We actively cooperate with the Italian Trade Agency to enable these companies to present their ideas and concepts at the Genoa International Boat Show. Boating components, equipment and boats represent flagships of the Made in Italy brand. It is with these initiatives that we can help support companies so that they can realise their potential as the excellence of tomorrow. Innovation is key to facing future challenges, optimising production cycles, and boosting the sector's growth".

As part of the institutional events promoted by the Italian Marine Industry Association, Fabio Planamente, the Association Vice President in charge of European representation and national regulations, met with journalists in the Media Centre to discuss the boating market's trend and the first three days of the Genoa International Boat Show.

Another memorable moment was the arrival of a very special crew, who today docked at the Genoa Boat Show, bringing with them a message of sea, hope, and solidarity. After setting sail from Catania, cancer patients, caregivers, doctors and health workers, together with the children of patients and health professionals, undertook an incredible journey. Together, they created the initiative "Oncology meets the sea", organised by the Oncology Department of the Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania, in collaboration with ACTO Sicilia and the Italian Naval League. The meeting turned into a valuable opportunity to reflect on the value of care, closeness and sharing, enriched by the presentation of the book "La Vela magica" (The Magic Sail).

Sailing took centre stage in the afternoon with a series of events presented by the Italian Sailing Federation at the Eberhard & Co. Theatre: the presentation of the "Velando" project and the 9^th edition of the Naval Academy Regatta, scheduled to be held from 25^th April to 3^rd May 2026.

The third day of the event came to close with the presentation of the book "Un sogno chiamato Wally" (A dream called Wally), the autobiography, written with Lia Capizzi, of Luca Bassani, the entrepreneur and designer who revolutionised modern boating by founding the Wally brand, now recognised worldwide for its unmistakable, cutting-edge design solutions.