As we settle into our 25th anniversary year, things are moving fast at IDEA – in the best possible way. I’ve been here for 15 of those years, and I’ve seen this company grow from something fledgling and ambitious into a platform that crews and management companies all over the world rely on – the industry standard. The original goal was always simple: make life easier on board. Fifteen years later, that still motivates me every day – and 2026 is already shaping up to be one of our most exciting years yet.
A big part of our focus this year is enhancing IDEA FLEET. A lot of management companies rely on it already to keep track of certificates, maintenance, and operational data across multiple yachts, and we want to make that experience even better. Small usability improvements, clearer overviews, and more ways to stay on top of the details – all of this is underway.
At the same time, we’re spreading the word about IDEA GT, our solution for yachts with more limited crew. GT can be managed directly within the Fleet Portal, so even smaller vessels can sit comfortably inside a management company’s ecosystem. It keeps everything consistent and helps teams handle mixed fleets without extra hassle.
On the IDEA YACHT side, we’re working on updates to storage management. I won’t spoil too much now, but yes – more structure, more layers, and a smoother experience overall. Many of you have asked for this, and we’re listening.
We’re also exploring some very promising AI concepts behind the scenes. These early tests are already showing how AI could make it easier for crews to surface the right information at the right moment, reduce repetitive admin, and interact with IDEA’s data in a much more natural way. We’re not rushing anything – but the potential here is genuinely exciting. And of course, every step we take will stay rooted in the principles that have guided us for 25 years: security, transparency, and trust. Those remain absolutely non‑negotiable.
Preparations are already in full swing for our biggest stand ever at METSTRADE, and since it’s a special year, we’re planning a big celebration together with our partners on the IDEA Universe stand. More details soon, but trust me: this one will be fun, and yes, there shall be Gin.
The IDEA Academy also keeps growing, and this year we’re adding something I’m personally very excited about: a brand‑new interior course. We want to show stews just how much easier life can be when they aren’t jumping between multiple apps or spreadsheets, and how IDEA can bring everything together in one place. It’s a department that deserves more support, and we’re happy to finally give it the spotlight.
And yes… for anyone asking: the IDEA Arcade is still very much alive. We do want to build a third arcade‑style game. Let’s just say finding “spare time” between everything else going on is a little… optimistic. But, we’ll get there eventually – and when we do, you’ll be able to come and beat your colleagues on the IDEA Universe stand or at least Karl’s high score. No pressure.
You’ll also see us on the road over the next two months. We’ll be at the Superyacht Technology Show in Barcelona and the Palm Beach International Boat Show again, and we’d love to hear your thoughts – especially around the things we’re testing and building.
A lot is happening. A lot is on the horizon. And everything we’re doing ties back to the same simple mantra that has guided us for 25 years:
First. Time. Right.