5 yachting start-ups to invest in now

It’s no longer news that with the help of the internet thousands of brave people with bright ideas are now launching start-ups, in all kinds of sectors every day, and the yachting industry is no different. But how to get involved in the most promising ones? From the most amazing private jet concepts to the top drones for your superyacht, we've scoured the crowdfunding websites to bring you the best and brightest innovations coming soon to your superyacht.

CCROV

The pitch: CCROV is the first underwater robot equipped with a 4K camera allowing live HD video transmission to tablets or smartphones via its dedicated app. Designed for both research and recreational use, the CCROV allows scuba divers to share their adventure with guests on board as well as professionally document their discoveries with the option to connect an FPV or VR headset to experience the footage in 3D.

Cost: Founded by Henry He, CCROV is seeking $20,000 through crowdfunding with investments starting at $5.

Return: As with all Indiegogo campaigns, the more you pledge the more your receive. While $5 will get you a thank you note, $1599 will get a CCROV robot at 41% off the retail price.

Website: www.indiegogo.com/projects/ccrov-the-first-underwater-drone-with-a-4k-camera

The pitch: This lightweight yet powerful underwater jet can be used on its own or attached to a kayak or stand-up paddleboard to add a little excitement to the best water toys. Weighing just 1kg, Bixpy is ideal for helping snorkellers cover more ground and can propel most kayaks and SUPs to around seven mph using a range of custom adaptors that will work with most water toy models. With a battery life of up to 240 minutes and a huge 10 forward speeds and three reverse speed when being used with kayaks and SUPs, this super portable device promises to be a toy box must-have.

Cost: Bixpy plans to raise $125,000 from backers who can pledge anything from $5 - $1,400.

Return: Depending on how much you pledge, backers will receive anything from a mention on the Bixpy website to a package including two Bixpy jets, an extra handheld battery, outboard battery box and remote and one attachment of your choice of water toy.

Website: www.kickstarter.com/projects/bixpy/bixpy-jet-modular-and-portable-waterjet-propulsion

The pitch: The OpenROV team took Kickstarter by storm three years ago with their dream of building an underwater drone to explore a Californian cave rumoured to contain buried treasure. Sadly the treasure proved to be non-existent but, with their robot proving to be one of the top drones around, they have returned with the new and improved Trident which they now hope to mass produce for public consumption.

Cost: The team aim to raise $50,000 through crowdfunding with pledges ranging from $1 to $5,000+.

Return: Rewards may start as simple as joining the backers' mailing list but they quickly escalate to great experiences and philanthropic acts - including sending a Trident to a deprived high school and joining the OpenROV team on a coastal expedition in California.

Website: www.kickstarter.com/projects/openrov/openrov-trident-an-underwater-drone-for-everyone/description

The pitch: The brainchild of inventive product design firm Studio Banana Things, the Batband is essentially an earless Bluetooth headphone. Using bone conduction technology currently found in some hearing aids, the Batband contains three tranducers - two of which sit on the temples and one at the back of the head - and emit sound waves to your private 'inner' ear thus allowing your social 'outer' ear to hear the world around you.

Cost: Money for the Batband is being raised through Kickstarter and backers can pledge anything from $5 - $1,300+.

Return: As with all Kickstarter projects you get out what you put in. A $5 pledge will get your name on the Studio's backers wall of fame while bigger donations could get you up to ten Batbands and offer huge savings on buying the headphones at full RRP later.

Website: www.kickstarter.com/projects/ostrich-pillow/batband

The pitch: Tech whizzes, including former executives from the likes of Sikorsky and Cessna, have teamed up to revolutionise the private aircraft market. They have designed what is, ostensibly, a private jet crossed with a helicopter, thus eradicating the need for transfers from airfield to main deck. The TriFan 600 boasts six seats, a range of up to 1,200 miles and can cruise at 30,000ft at speeds of 400mph.

Cost: XTI plans to raise $50 million through crowdfunding via an unlimited number of backers each investing as little or as much as they see fit.

Return: Each investor will receive shares in XTI comparable to the sum they have invested and will see a return on these as the company grows – the first test TriFan 600 model is expected to be ready in 2016.

Website: www.startengine.com/startup/xti