Applications Open for Startup Zone at Dubai International Boat Show

Applications are now open for the Startup Zone at the Dubai International Boat Show, which will take place at Dubai Harbour from April 8th to 12th, 2026. The event marks the 32nd edition of the show and is organised by Dubai World Trade Centre, with the Startup Zone curated by Yachting Ventures.
Launched in 2025, Yachting Ventures was introduced to provide early-stage companies with visibility and direct access to decision-makers across the leisure marine value chain in the Middle East. The Startup Zone returns in 2026 following its first year at the show, which saw participating startups engage with investors, industry partners and regional innovation programmes.
In parallel with the 2025 boat show, Yachting Ventures organised curated visits to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund Accelerator Programme and facilitated attendance at STEP. Several startups reported new partnerships and investor discussions as a result. One participant, iWarranty, later joined the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund Accelerator and established a presence in Dubai, using the Startup Zone as an entry point into the regional market.
For the 2026 edition, Yachting Ventures plans to combine exhibition space at the show with targeted introductions and access to key regional startup events. Participating startups will receive media and marketing support, including panel participation, press exposure, content creation and curated networking opportunities before, during and after the event.
The Startup Zone is limited to 15 companies, with places allocated on a rolling basis. Eligible applicants are typically startups operating for fewer than five years and or with annual turnover below EUR 1 million. Applications are currently open online.