Sailo
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Boat and yacht rentals |
| Founded | September 2014 |
| Founder | Adrian Grădinaru, Magda Marcu, Delphine Braas |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | Global |
| Products | Online boat and yacht rental marketplace |
| Website | sailo |
Sailo, based in New York City, is a privately held American firm that runs an online marketplace specializing in boat and yacht rentals. This service facilitates connections among vessel owners, certified captains, and individuals looking to rent boats.
History
Established in September 2014 by Silicon Valley innovators Adrian Grădinaru, Magda Marcu, and Delphine Braas, Sailo was designed to streamline the often complicated process of renting crewed boats. The company initially targeted the Miami and New York markets before expanding internationally by 2016, managing a fleet of approximately 4,000 vessels.
In December 2015, Sailo completed a 13-week accelerator program through Techstars and secured several rounds of funding from angel investors. The launch of its iOS application occurred in August 2016. Later, in June 2019, Romania’s Neogen Group acquired a 9.4% ownership interest in the company.
Services
Operating on a global scale, Sailo links private boat owners and charter operators with prospective renters. It has earned the nickname “Airbnb of boats” from media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, El Nuevo Herald, Vogue, and Forbes, which described it as “the next Airbnb for luxury yacht rentals.”
Distinguishing itself from conventional boat rental services, Sailo permits owners to offer vessels either with or without a licensed captain; renters who wish to pilot the boats themselves must hold valid licenses. The platform provides features including instant booking, overnight charter options, full insurance coverage, and fraud protection measures.
The available fleet comprises speedboats, sailboats, catamarans, and superyachts. By May 2018, around 90% of these vessels were operated through charters. In November 2016, Sailo expanded its luxury charter portfolio by introducing high-end yacht rentals from Florida to Cuba, tapping into emerging premium markets.