Yacht & marine businesses

The yacht and marine industry is entering a new era of innovation – electric propulsion, autonomous vessels, advanced composites, clean marinas, hydrogen systems, underwater drones, and smart-navigation software are transforming both leisure boating and commercial maritime operations. We help shipyards, yacht manufacturers, marine-tech startups, and coastal service providers secure non-dilutive U.S. and European grant funding to design, prototype, modernize, decarbonize, and scale their marine solutions. Our team navigates federal programs (U.S. Navy SBIR, NOAA, DOE, DOT, SBA STEP, EDA, Sea Grant), European opportunities (Horizon Europe, EMFAF, Interreg, Innovation Fund, Clean Hydrogen), and regional/state-level incentives to identify the best-fit funding pathways for your product, prototype, or market expansion.

How Much Is There to Gain?

Yacht and marine businesses can access some of the most generous funding programs available today:

$250,000 – $2,000,000+ in U.S. SBIR/STTR programs for R&D, prototyping, and commercialization (Navy, NOAA, NSF, DOE)
$3M – $20M+ for clean maritime and zero-emission vessels (Innovation Fund, Clean Hydrogen JU, Enova, PILOT-E, CMDC UK)
Up to 70% cost coverage for activities under European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)
40–80% reimbursement for international market development, export promotion, and trade missions (SBA STEP, Interreg, ERDF programs)
Millions in co-funding for marina modernization, smart port infrastructure, coastal tourism, and environmental technologies

Depending on the type of project (prototype / technology / infrastructure / marketing), companies typically unlock between $300K and $5M+ in direct non-dilutive funding.

For whom?

We support a wide spectrum of businesses operating in the marine and yacht sector, including:

Yacht builders and shipyards (motor yachts, sailing yachts, hybrid-electric vessels).
Manufacturers of marine engines, batteries, propulsion systems (electric, hydrogen, hybrid).
Marine robotics & autonomy companies (USV/UUV, underwater drones, inspection robots).
Developers of navigation, telematics, and maritime software.
Scale-ups developing commercial technologies with security or defense applications
Producers of advanced hull materials, composites, and marine coatings.
Startups in clean marina technology and environmental monitoring.
Charter companies, marinas, and coastal tourism operators seeking marketing or modernization funding.
Defense and dual-use marine technology companies building sensors, autonomous systems, or mission platforms.

For what?

R&D & Prototyping

Design and construction of prototype vessels (electric, hydrogen, hybrid, hydrofoil, autonomous).
Underwater and surface drones for research, security, inspection, and port operations.
Development of smart propulsion, battery systems, hydrogen fuel cells, and charging infrastructure.
Advanced materials, lightweight hull structures, and eco-friendly antifouling technologies

Modernization & Infrastructure

Marina upgrades, clean energy systems, and smart port technologies.
Environmental monitoring, coastal safety systems, and sustainable nautical tourism solutions.

Marketing & International Expansion

Participation in global trade shows (METSTRADE, SMM, FLIBS, Boot Düsseldorf, Posidonia).
Digital marketing campaigns to reach B2B buyers worldwide.
Export promotion, branding, and cross-border partnerships (via STEP, Interreg, ERDF).

Environmental & Clean Maritime Initiatives

Retrofit programs for low-emission engines.
Zero-emission vessel projects under EU Innovation Fund & Clean Hydrogen.
Coastal resilience, aquaculture, and marine biodiversity initiatives.