A Dorset-based boating navigation company has agreed a deal to work with the world’s largest boat rental platform.
Bournemouth’s savvy navvy is partnering with Zizoo, which offers more than 44,000 boats – from catamarans to sailboats to yachts – for rent across 500 destinations.
The deal will see Zizoo, which has offices in Austria, Germany and Croatia, integrating savvy navvy’s technology into its user platforms.
Savvy navvy was co-founded in 2017 by avid sailor Jelte Liebrand and Kevin O’Neill, who describes the app as the “Google Maps for boats”. The app takes into account wind, weather, tides, and user preferences to produce the fastest and safest routes available, according to the duo.
Mr Liebrand said: “Our vision from the outset has been for savvy navvy to be in every boater’s pocket, supporting both new and experienced boaters. With boating holidays on the rise across the world, we are delighted to work with Zizoo to support responsible and sustainable marine tourism.”
Zizoo caters to licensed sailors looking to book a boat only, and to people with no sailing experience, who are interested in hiring a boat with a captain and optional crew. The company said the deal would mean their customers would now have access to savvy navvy’s navigation app and charts.
“At Zizoo we make it easy for travellers to find the right boat, right location and choose itineraries suited to their level of experience. We are always looking to enhance our customers’ experience and ways they can maximise their charter holiday. Our partnership with savvy navvy will definitely do that,” said Anna Banicevic, chief executive of Zizoo.
In January, savvy navvy secured more than £800,000 on investment platform Seedrs. The company now has nearly half a million users in more than 100 countries across the globe.
