The UK startup has launched a free platform, where sailors can capture all aspects of their sailing in one place.
Founders Chris Jacobs and Thomas Guy, started working on SailTies after experiencing a common problem for sailors.
“During our Day Skipper course, we were shocked that the paper logbook was the only way to record our adventure. Having used apps to record cycling and skiing, we knew we could create a more exciting way of capturing our experiences,” remembers Chris.
“Tom and I each have a decade of experience in software engineering and product design, previously working for Cookpad and Facebook. We decided to work together and spend our weekends and evenings building SailTies.”
After running a successful Beta program in 2021, the pair left their jobs and started working full time on SailTies in January 2022. They continued to bootstrap the business by building the product themselves and developing partnerships with existing sailing organisations as the main growth mechanism.
In May they decided to look for outside investment. Tom explains: “We had 3 clear reasons to launch our pre-seed round: To fund the Android build, hire for marketing and build an advisory team. We have been very picky with our investors, turning down money that doesn’t come with added value. Angels had to either be experienced in areas we are new to, for example marketing, or have connections in the marine industry. Some tick both boxes!”
SailTies closed the round in September, raising £208k from angel investors including 5 members of Dorset Business Angels, the Global Growth Marketing Director at Twitter, ex-Head of Engineering at Apple and the COO of SALT Finance.
Don McQueen, Chairman of Dorset Business Angels and SailTies lead investor, explains why he invested: “At Dorset Business Angels we invest in the team and the vision. Chris and Tom have already built a fantastic product that sailors love. Their vision, to make sailing more accessible and easier to get out on the water, will lead to SailTies becoming the world’s largest sailing community with a variety of revenue opportunities.”
This is just the beginning for SailTies. Sailors have already logged 60k+ miles on the platform, in 6 of 7 continents. The app is recommended all over the world, from British University Sailing Association to Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
This week they also launched their Android app, allowing users to collaborate with everyone onboard.
Chris and Tom are still open to SEIS investments from angels with connections in the marine industry. Ticket size starts at £20k.
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