SMM is not only a showcase for established technologies but also a stage for the innovations of tomorrow. Through Start-ups@SMM, the world's leading maritime trade fair once again puts young companies and their developments centre stage. From 1 to 4 September, international founders will demonstrate in Hamburg how new technologies are transforming the maritime industry.
"Many of the technologies that will shape the maritime industry in the years ahead are being developed by young companies today. With Start-ups@SMM, we make this innovative strength visible and provide entrepreneurs and developers with an international platform. The innovations on display demonstrate how new ideas become market-ready solutions – including several world premieres," says Claus Ulrich Selbach, Vice President Exhibitions Maritime & Energy at Hamburg Messe und Congress.
World Premieres and New Technologies
A total of 19 young companies are taking part in Start-ups@SMM. Coming from Germany, across Europe, Canada and Asia, they demonstrate the diversity and innovative strength of the maritime start-up ecosystem. Their innovations focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, digital analytics as well as technologies for greater energy efficiency and sustainability. Four companies illustrate the breadth of innovation on display.
Agen Robotics from Türkiye will present Micro Panel Line, a robotic system for the automated assembly and welding of steel structures in shipbuilding. The system processes digital design data and helps shipyards make manufacturing processes more efficient, precise and productive.
Several start-ups will celebrate world premieres at SMM. German company FrekiLabs will unveil accel::lbm, a simulation software that significantly accelerates digital ship design by calculating flow behaviour and hull resistance much faster than conventional methods. MarinaChain from South Korea will introduce MarinaValue, an AI-powered platform that combines market, vessel and operational data to support shipowners and investors with fleet valuations and investment decisions.
The Slovak company Bencros will also present a world premiere: marine fenders made from carbon-negative recycled rubber. Its innovative manufacturing process enables certified carbon inset credits to be issued with every fender supplied, contributing to the decarbonisation of maritime infrastructure.
Other participating start-ups are developing autonomous vessel systems, AI-supported bridge assistance, water treatment technologies, data-driven fleet analytics and emission-free propulsion concepts. Together, the Start-ups@SMM demonstrate the breadth of innovation emerging from today's maritime start-up community.
Start-ups from Around the World
The start-ups are located in two joint exhibition areas in Halls A3 and B6. The Start-up Route guides visitors directly to the participating companies across both exhibition areas.
Young technology companies are also represented in the Naval Hall (Hall B8), the dedicated exhibition area for Maritime Security & Defence. Salvor Marine Intelligence will present the world premiere of ASSIST, a modular drone system that supports search and rescue operations at sea through autonomous flight capabilities, AI-assisted mission planning and rescue payload deployment. The exhibition is complemented by Norwegian start-up Zeabuz, which develops autonomous technologies for maritime applications.
Maritime Start-up Day & Night: Pitches, Award and Networking
The highlight of the programme is the Maritime Start-up Day & Night on Wednesday, 2 September, organised together with Maritime Startups Germany e.V. During the event, participating companies will present their innovations in short pitches before an expert jury and the SMM audience. The winning presentation will be honoured as the "Best Maritime Start-up 2026" during the SMM Maritime Start-up Night. The evening networking event, held at Karoline, directly next to the exhibition grounds, will bring together start-ups, industry representatives, investors and media over food, drinks and live music.
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