Entrepreneurship sails forward: The fifth annual Venturelab Trophy connects entrepreneurs and investors in the Real Club Nautico

27.02.2024 17:20, Rita Longobardi

In Venturelab's annual sailing competition, investors and entrepreneurs formed three crews, racing each other against the majestic backdrop of Barcelona's coast on the weekend before the Mobile World Congress. The Venturelab Trophy represented an opportunity to kick off the 20-year jubilee of Venturelab and navigate further a mission started in 2004: Building world-class startups, Swiss-made.

Sailing is a great metaphor for business. Why? For entrepreneurial success, there are profound similarities between sailing and running a startup. Cunning and skill are paramount to succeed in both cases: A sailboat captain won’t win a race by ignoring ever-changing wind conditions. That’s doubly true when a sailboat is caught in high winds. And that's what startups and investors got to experience during the fifth annual Venturelab Trophy.



Before presenting their breakthrough innovations at the Mobile World Congress and 4YFN 2024, the ten members of the Swiss National Startup Mobile Team convened at the Real Club Nautico in Barcelona for the unique Venturelab Sailing Trophy. The Real Club Nautico in Barcelona (RCNB) was established in 1876 and is one of the oldest yacht clubs in Spain. This invitation-only yacht club is also hosting the 37th America’s Cup. 20 years ago the Swiss team Alinghi won the America’s Cup and inspired the Venturelab founders to build world-class startups, Swiss-made.

Leaving the harbor on Sunday, handpicked investors, the members of the Swiss National Startup Team, and Venturelab partners took their positions on three sailboats, getting ready for the Venturelab Sailing Trophy 2024. The friendly sailing competition provides a unique platform for networking and collaboration among like-minded innovators.

It was a tight race, but the HM Hospitals (Hydra) boat snagged the victory in a last-minute turn. After the race, the crews gathered for lunch at the Real Club Nautico before proceeding with a pitch session, a Q&A, and a networking mixer for guests looking to connect with the tech innovators.

The Venturelab Trophy sailing match was made possible by Rolf Auf der Maur, partner at VISCHER, providing the basecamp. Rolf emphasized: “In sailing and startups alike, success hinges on mastering the art of preparation, adapting to the winds of change, and seizing every opportunity with unflagging determination." A big thank you to all the partners, including Natural World Eco who kindly provided footwear for our sailors.



Check www.venturelab.swiss/trophy for more information and updates on the Venture Leaders Mobile 2024 and follow them in Barcelona at MWC and 4YFN with #VleadersMobile on social media.
 

Kicking off the journey in Barcelona with the Sailing Trophy before #4YFN24 starts!A huge shoutout to @VISCHER_Law for their invaluable support in making this race a reality, & to @NaturalWorldEco for keeping our feet grounded on the boat with their Nautic shoes! #VLeadersMobile pic.twitter.com/PpQkm71PaB

— Venturelab (@venturelab_ch) February 25, 2024