Sydney-based Floatspace, the “Airbnb for boating experiences,” has signed Amaysin co-founder Rolf Hansen as an investor as the startup aims to raise $3 million in a Series A round.
Hansen supported the pre-series A SAFE note of that boat and yacht rental market and joined the Floatspace board.
He joins Airtasker founder and CEO Tim Fung as one of the startup’s financiers and advisors.
Floating space was founded by CEO Hugh Treseder and launched in 2020, just before Covid hit, as an hourly concierge service for boat and yacht rentals, renting out private boats for corporate events and celebrations such as weddings, birthdays, bachelorette parties and money parties.
It now has nearly 250 boats on its roster. Top of the range is the Gold Coast-based trimaran ‘YOT Club’, which has a capacity for up to 399 people and costs $3,750 per hour, giving the Victoria Star, cruising the Yarra River in Melbourne for $1200 an hour for up to 350 guests, looks like a steal. Prices start at about $160 per hour for a runabout.
The company now has boats available in NSW, Queensland, WA and Victoria as well as Auckland, New Zealand and this year expanded into the US market, launching in Miami, Florida and setting up a team there. The Hamptons in upstate New York are now also on the books.
Hugh Treseder said June delivered 400% year-over-year growth and they are now looking to expand the Australian and US teams. More than 16,000 guests have boarded a boat booked on the platform.
“We’re thrilled with the success we’ve had in Australia, but we’re just beginning to see the impact we’ll have on boating experiences around the world,” he said.
“Our recent Florida launch has exceeded our expectations with more than 90 charter boats already on board and reviews from satisfied customers pouring in every day.”
Treseder said the pandemic has sparked a huge interest in boating lifestyles as people increasingly look for domestic leisure alternatives to overseas travel.
“Our mission at Floatspace is to let you have fun on the water with your friends or family,” he said.
“With our innovative platform and technology, we want to make that experience as easy as booking a restaurant or an Uber.”
In addition to Fung and Hansen, Floatspace counts Siteminder founder Mike Ford and Bardia Housman of Business Catalyst among its early investors
After recruiting Jeff Lewis, the former VP of technology at Viator, and Jason Smith, the former director of SEO at TripAdvisor, to his management team, he now hopes to raise $3 million in a Series A at a pre-money valuation. of $12 million.
Treseder said the funds will go towards consolidating Floatspace’s leadership position in Australia and accelerating growth in the United States, as well as creating further innovations in the customer experience.