Wind Rises, a Dubai-based sailing club startup, announced raising $1 million in a pre-seed funding round from a set of angel investors.
The company said the funds will be invested in expanding the fleet, developing services, lessons and local races and growing the community.
Part of the fresh capital will be used for establishing a second location in the UAE, it said.
Currently, the company’s fleet consists of 10 keelboats powered naturally by the wind through the water, thus avoiding any harmful emissions.
“Wind Rises is more than just sailing; it’s a community with a diverse ecosystem of products, services, and opportunities to learn, network, and hone your sailing skills,” Max Pinigin, Wind Rises’s co-founder, said.
“We aim to integrate sailing seamlessly into the urban lifestyle, making it an accessible and affordable eco-friendly leisure activity,” he added.
Pinugin said the venture also actively seeks partners who share its mission to shape a sustainable yachting landscape in the MENA region.
Among the company’s services are sailing experiences, theoretical and practical lessons, sailing races, competitions, and team events.
The company also hosts corporate events in Dubai, allowing companies to unwind and engage in team-building activities on the water.
Corporate majors such as Siemens, Red Bull, and Airbus are among the companies which have already used Wind Rises services for their events, Wind Rises said.
The company enables access to sustainable sailing in Dubai by offering affordable sailing experiences, with weekday lessons at a cost of AED300 per person, and weekends lessons at AED380.
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