Miami, FL 33180, US
Consumer Services
www.earlyshares.com/projects/boatsetter?eb
Boatsetter.com offers a unique Boat sharing marketplace that will, for the first time, make boat rentals accessible to consumers regardless of their boating experience. We have created a catalyst for growth by unlocking the 95% idle capacity of privately owned vessels, which in turn helps boat owners realize returns on their boat investments. Our distinct approach combines best–in-class collaborative market tools from companies like Airbnb (home rentals) and Uber (professional drivers) to create the only model capable of bringing the “new sharing economy” to the marine industry. We’ve assembled a uniquely qualified team of marine professionals, tech start-up veterans, and car rental industry experts to bring today’s collaborative “sharing” economy to the boating industry. We have significant traction and have established a national network of marine-industry businesses that are partnering with us on an exclusive basis to rollout the platform in the US. We will be launching BoatSetter at the Miami International Boat Show in mid-February. Our offering can be found at http://www.earlyshares.com/projects/boatsetter?eb
By matching boats to qualified renters, BoatSetter creates a new source of income for owners when their boats are not in use. BoatSetter also offers an affordable, convenient recreation option to boat enthusiasts who aren’t owners. – Owner and renter profiles allow members to establish their reputations and research potential boats or renters. – Owners retain ultimate control. They set the price, availability, and frequency of the rental of their boats and choose who gets to use them (and how).
Andrew Sturner is a serial entrepreneur in the marine, real estate, media, and technology fields. He is founder of Aqua Marine Partners, LLC, which owns a large portfolio of marinas on the East Coast of the United States. Prior to his current endeavors, Mr. Sturner was Co-President of Sportsline.com (NASDAQ:SPLN) before its sale to Viacom, as well as Vice President of Business Development at MovieFone (NASDAQ: MOFN) before its sale to AOL. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School and a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts from Washington University in St. Louis.
Fred Barboni has extensive experience as a marine and automobile utilization management executive. During his two decades as a Senior Officer of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, a $16 billion business, he was instrumental to the company’s growth. He has also served as Chief Operating Officer of International Marinas, Founder of Global Marina Management, and licensed Florida Realtor. He earned his Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Business from the University of Florida.
Flavio Guinsburg is a senior technologist with over 20 years of experience developing significant systems for large enterprises and startups. He has worked in the U.S. and internationally helping companies like Citibank, Standard Chartered, Leasetrader, and Mutual Catolica Insurance manage projects, build analysis tools, and establish their web presence. His technology podcast has millions of downloads, has topped the charts in many countries, and has been listed ‘Hot in Tech’ in Apple iTunes U.S. multiple times. BS in Systems Universidad CAECE – Buenos Aires, Argentina ’94.
Fred Anderson is an experienced entrepreneur, franchise owner, and management consultant. As founder & CEO of Creative Studio Consultants (CSC), Fred has been an integral part of the Color Me Mine national franchise training program since 2009 and has created and successfully implemented the in-studio, hands-on portion of the franchise training for all new studio owners that join Color Me Mine. In addition, Fred founded HireGo, an online job search startup launching in 2014. As the owner, president and CEO of Color Me Mine Beverly Hills, he manages marketing, merchandising, inventory, and customer service for the successful entertainment retail franchise business. Since purchasing the Color Me Mine Beverly Hills in 2003, he has been named Studio Owner of the Year several times, led the company’s franchise sales for 6 straight years, served as national studio owner trainer, and received multiple company awards.
Alex Warner founded the Gulfstream Boat Club in 2008 and currently serves as its President. He developed the four-location, 20-boat club from scratch, and oversees locations in Delray, Boynton, Palm Beach, and Boca Raton, Florida. At present, the Gulfstream Boat Club has 300 members. Prior to his current endeavors, Mr. Warner worked on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange for Bank of America, and also worked for the Chelsea Piers entertainment facility in New York. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business from Lynn University.
An internet entrepreneur, seasoned business executive, and inventor, Ed Fish has taken two companies from start-up stage through successful IPO. He ran instant messaging and premium services at AOL, was an Emmy Finalist for Interactive Television and Virginia Center for Innovation Technology GAP 50 entrepreneur, and holds 13 US patents on a broad expanse of technologies. He currently serves in the Office of the Chairman at ePals Corporation (TSXv: SLN) and works with Miles Gilburne in ZG Ventures. In his seven years with ePals, he has served as President, CEO, and a Director. He helped take the 12-person organization through a public offering and substantial revenue growth. He received his Bachelor of Science with honors in Biomedical Engineering from Marquette University and Juris Doctorate magna cum laude from Wayne State University, where he was Order of the Coif and an Editor of the Law Review.
Chris Shaffner has more than 35 years of boating business expertise and is a recognized leader in the marine industry. As Owner of TowBoat US Palm Beach since 2001, he has quadrupled the company’s profits. He also owns and operates a successful yacht brokerage and consulting company for private, government and commercial client vessel acquisitions. Chris serves as Chair of C-PORT, the national trade association for the marine assistance and salvage industry, and works closely with the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC). He also organizes the fleet of volunteer boats for the Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and works on committees for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and advisory boards for the US Coast Guard. He was recently appointed by Governor Rick Scott to the State of Florida Boating Advisory Council. He is a regular on Capitol Hill, where he helps monitor the unintended consequences of policy change on the boating public.
Marc Billings has an extensive entrepreneurial background in real estate and technology. He is Founder of Incubate Miami, Boatsetter.com, Itopia, and Blackdove – all start-ups in the technology sector. Mr. Billings was a partner in a real estate private equity investment group from 1996 to 2002, where he led a technology practice area in developing data centers for the firm after the U.S. deregulation of the telecommunications industry. His additional responsibilities included Director of Operations, where he overhauled all information systems, including accounting and finance reporting, to provide a significantly improved operation. Prior to real estate investing, Mr. Billings served in the audit department for Coopers and Lybrand and tax department for a local South Florida firm as a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Billings holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and Accounting specialty from the Wharton School.