Boaterfly Startup Raises €500,000

A nautical player promoting the sharing economy Based on the Airbnb model, and in the same vein as car rental or sharing sites such as Drivy or BlaBlaCar, Boaterfly offers peer-to-peer boat rentals.

Launched in late 2013 with 50 boats, the startup has leaped from 450 to 700 boats in early 2015 and saw a 200% increase in bookings.

Boaterfly allows owners to rent their boat  with  or  without  skipper, to amortize boat trips by co-navigating, and to monetize their boat by offering nights  at  the  dock as alternative to hotels. Travelers have privileged contacts with their host, a unique sailing experience, and prices up to 50% cheaper.

Supported by many partners, including the French  Nautical  Industries  Federation, the startup also offers a custom designed pay by day insurance policy with Allianz.

New resources for an accelerated growth

With this investment, the French leader in peer-to-peer boat rentals will expand  its  service  in  France  and Europe.

Benefiting from the support of a pool of business angel from the web, yachting and industrial sectors, Boaterfly begins a new development cycle allowing it to raise  its  profile  and  expand  its  range  of  services. In response to the strong growth of its business, Boaterfly invests  to  strengthen  its  operational  team as early as the summer of 2015.

The startup will also soon launch its mobile application to facilitate exchanges within the user community.

This  fundraiser  allows  us  to  take  another  step.  All  types  of  boats  are  welcome,  from  the   smallest  boat  to  luxury  yacht.“– explains Guillaume de Corbiac – President and Co-founder.

The  sharing  economy  confirmed  its  potential  in  yachting.  Regarding  all  the  players in  this  sector,  Boaterfly  is  up  to  the  challenge.“ – explains Ronan Kervadec – Co-founder.

We  thank  our  community  and  our  investors  who  join  us  to  secure  and  facilitate  the  peer-to-peer boat rentals.“ – explains Simon Godreau – Partner.