MonacoTech, the start-up incubator founded in the Principality in 2017, has put out its annual call for new start-ups in the green, clean, bio-med, financial yachting and digital tech worlds.
Applications are now being accepted by the Principality’s premiere start-up incubator, MonacoTech, for companies who are in line with Monaco’s values and in their foremost strategic sectors.
New businesses looking for a boost with backgrounds in green tech, clean tech, biotech, medtech, fintech, digital or yachting are asked to submit applications between 27th September and 25th October before midnight in order to be considered.
The selection process will take place in three distinct stages starting with filing the application. The next step will be 20-minute online interviews taking place on 15th and 16th November, followed by the presentation of the project in front of a panel of judges on 2nd and 3rd December. Final decisions will be made in January to welcome the new start-ups in the new year.
MonacoTech offers comprehensive support for the winning applicants, giving them a programme focused on the application of best practices and personalised follow-up, workshops and events led by experts, and chances to connect with key players of the ecosystem such as entrepreneurs, partner incubators and investors. Additionally, the start-ups will have access to each other for idea-sharing and support as well as to the MonacoTech ‘Fab Lab’, which can be used for prototyping and experiments.
Projects are evaluated on several criteria. The potential and innovative character, how far along the project has been developed as only those with a first prototype will be considered, and a coherence between the project and Monaco’s values and goals will all be considered before making final choices.
Monaco, says MonacoTech, provides a perfect backdrop for these kinds of endeavours as it is international, open to innovation and experimentation and already wired for 5G.
MYS Series: The superyacht and the owner representative
The course to set in order to become a superyacht owner representative is uncharted territory, but at journey’s end, the one abiding rule is to understand the owner inside and out and to know the yacht off by heart.
There’s no easy way to get there, but Owner Representative (OR) Volga Diaugo started off as a stewardess, working on 25 to 50 metre yachts for nine years. “That’s how I learnt about boatsn from the inside,” she explains.
She is now co-owner of The Doc Yachts Services based in Imperia, Italy. The OR’s role, she says, is to cover the owner’s back in every which way and do every single thing to make sure they do not encounter (or even know about) any problems on board: “With crew, with technical problems, with management, etc.”
And so how, one wonders, is this different from a yacht manager? Diaugo explains, “I am in direct contact with the owner, I am their eyes, their ears. My office is right in front of their boat. The Owner Rep gives 360° support of every aspect of the yacht, whereas yacht management involves 280°. We cover everything from design stage, construction, and after sales, managing itineraries, port bookings, provisioning, technical support, everything.”
Diaugo is owner representative for five vessels. She moved from Belorussia to Italy in 2005 and, as a Russian speaker, most of her owners are Russian speaking. Benetti Diamond 44m, photo JOBDV
This year at the Monaco Yacht Show she represented the new flagship Class category yacht from the Benetti shipyard, the Benetti Diamond 44m. With exterior design by Giorgio M. Cassetta, the interior is the work of Benetti’s Interior Style Department. With a fibreglass hull and 469 gross tonnes in weight, the yacht sleeps 10 guests in five cabins with a crew of nine. At 11 knots, she has a range of 5,000 nautical miles.
The owner, an experienced yachtsman, was heavily involved in the project build and advised the yard on the need for generous space for crew as well as owner and guests, with maximum silence and build standards.
The yacht launched in January 2020 and was delivered in Viareggio in July 2020. She is considered to be a contemporary take on a Benetti’s traditional classic style.
Says Diaugo, “It all began in December 2018 when the construction contract was signed. Along with the captain, I attended shipyard meetings to source any problems and give the owner’s opinions and ideas. Benetti are very professional and it was a positive experience.”
Covid of course halted the build process in 2020, but not for long, and the yacht was delivered only shortly after schedule that July. Benetti Diamond 44m, photo JOBDV
Diaugo is particularly impressed by the natural light inside the boat and the volume. “She feels like a 50m, not a 44m,” she says. “She’s like a daughter to me. I love everything about her. Every place you go, you find particular things, special materials. You know, on board yachts, people are always getting bruises from sharp corners when the boat is moving. But the owner and his family decided to have all corners rounded off. There are no sharp edges onboard!”
Crew and guest flows are devised to ensure maximum privacy. The 102sqm sun deck offers dining, lounging and sunbathing areas. Other features include a pool on the upper deck bow and an expansive 60m full-beam owner’s apartment in the bow on the main deck. In the central section of the deck, the day area is furnished exclusively with a series of sofas and low tables.
Now with that project under her belt and constant beady eye, Volga Diaugo is working on the construction of a 76’ sailing yacht by CNB shipyard, due for delivery at the beginning of 2022. Benetti Diamond 44m, photo JOBDV
At close quarters with Volga Diaugo:
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
In Minsk, the capital of Belarus. I moved to Italy in 2005. A happy memory?
Going to football matches with my father. I remember standing in the rain at the 1982 Russian Championships. I was six and I was happy. If you weren’t an owner representative, what would you be?
This is my dream job. I trained as a physical education teacher and I have a degree in psychology. Both are useful now, for jumping through hoops. Your advice to someone looking for a career like yours?
Be honest, and you have to know every single aspect of the job in case the owner asks you. I had a great captain who taught me that whatever I am asked, the answer is always “Yes”. And if it is not “Yes” today, it is “Yes” for tomorrow. A difficult part of your job?
Never enough sleep. If you are not sleeping, you are always thinking of the next thing. Last year I did 60,000 km in my car – meetings with shipyards etc. – all over Italy. The best part of your job?
Seeing the owner happy. Of what are you most proud?
Moving to Italy. It was a decision that changed my life. I started from zero and did not speak a word of Italian. A favourite meal?
Any Italian cooked fish. I love all Italian food. A figure you admire?
Captain Heins Krodel, my first Captain on MY ZoomZoomZoom. A favourite place or restaurant in Monaco?
Cipriani.
The Monaco Yacht Club was the final scene in a series of exclusive events last week that featured two NASA astronauts and showcased Axiom Space, the company designing the world’s first commercial space station.
In the third of three special ‘Astronaut’ events put on by My Yacht Group, the Monaco Yacht Club was the site for an ‘Angelic Evening’, a reception party that featured wines from Château d’Esclans, makers of Whispering Angel, in keeping with the theme of the night.
It followed two intimate dinners organised in conjunction with Monaco Private Label at the Hermitage Hotel and aboard a private superyacht, where two NASA astronauts – Michael Lopez-Alegria and Nicole Stott, gave guests the opportunity to discover Axiom Space, the American company that is looking to make space tourism a reality in our time.
Left to right: Nicholas Frankl, Tejpaul Bhatia (Axiom Space), Nicole Stott, Cdr. Michael Lopez-Alegría
Michael Lopez-Alegria is a Hall of Fame astronaut who has spent 257 days in space and made 67 spacewalks in his career. He spoke to the gathering about what it was like to hover 402 kilometres above the earth. He is currently in training to take on his fifth space mission coming up in February 2022, when the commander will be at the helm of Axiom’s first fully private mission to the International Space Station.
Joining him was seasoned space veteran Nicole Stott, who has spent a total of 104 days in space and is the 10th woman ever to perform a spacewalk. She also is notably the first person ever to have painted a watercolour whilst orbiting the planet. Stott’s pursuits have also taken her underwater where she was part of NASA’s Aquanaut team on the Aquarius undersea lab, undertaking an 18-day mission to explore the depths of the oceans.
During the YCM dinner, guests enjoyed a Whispering Angel-fuelled evening and truffle-based menu. This was followed by live music and dancing until the wee hours.
Lest the evening seem to be all high-flying fun and games, there was also a charity aspect with the reception raising awareness for YachtAid Global, an organisation that works in conservation efforts, disaster relief and humanitarian aid projects.
My Yacht Group will be holding similar Astronaut Dinners at select cities in the coming months.
Click on the images below to see more highlights…
Top photo of Nicholas and Annabelle Frankl, the brother-sister team behind My Yacht Group
Sharon Stone dazzles as guest of honour at Monte-Carlo Gala
Glamour was back in full force Thursday as Monaco staged the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, this year for the first time ever at the Palace, where the Princely family welcomed celebrities and VIPs for the exclusive Prince Albert Foundation charity event.
It was the fifth edition of the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, the year’s largest fundraising event for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and American actress Sharon Stone was the night’s Guest of Honour, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of work towards humanitarian efforts and the empowerment of women. The 63-year-old looked luminous in a dramatic lilac coloured gown that trailed gracefully behind her as she made her way up the “red” carpet in strappy black heels.
“It is a joy and an honor to share this evening with my long-time dear friend and compatriot His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco,” said Sharon Stone during her acceptance speech. “We have known each other our entire adult lives and once again our friendship deepens as we share this common goal. It is with great humility that I accept this honour to serve at His command.”
Sharon Stone attends the 5th Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
In reference to the health of our world and ourselves during the pandemic, Stone added, “One of the things that happens most directly during these times that we stay alone is that we understand the importance of being present. When you see what’s happening to our environment, we understand most predominately what being present in ourselves and in our world means.”
Though perhaps known best for her work in films such as Basic Instinct and Casino, Sharon Stone has been honoured with a Nobel Peace Summit Award, a Harvard Humanitarian Award, a Human Rights Campaign Humanitarian Award, and an Einstein Spirit Award, among others. Her role as producer in the documentary My Name Is Water contributed to both awareness and funding towards clean water, wells, rainwater harvesting structures, and more in rural Sub-Saharan, Africa.
Stone was joined by British star Orlando Bloom, who made the appearance without fiancée Katy Perry and looked dashing in a traditional tuxedo, as well as model Victoria Silvstedt, who looked stunning in a baby pink gown with a matching cape and sky-high silver sandals.
Prince Albert II was joined by his sister, the ever-elegant Caroline, Princess of Hanover who debuted her new grey bobbed hairstyle and wore a beautiful brocade gown.
Victoria Silvstedt at the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, photo @victoriasilvstedt instagram
Prince Albert addressed the audience with a reminder of the continuing theme of the Gala – the protection of our environment and the impact of climate change: “We must refuse to close our eyes faced with situations that concern us all, whatever our circumstances and wherever we live…the deterioration of the ocean has devastating effects on the coastal population and on humanity as a whole…plastic pollution contaminates the food chain and contaminates each one of us…that the disappearance of the most fragile ecosystems, such as the corals, will deprive us of essential resources in the future.”
This year, the Prince’s Foundation joined forces with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to both saving and inspiring young lives with educational and development initiatives through sports.
Unable to attend the gala in person, the Princess sent a message from South Africa, saying: “My Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation joined forces a few years ago to develop a number of projects directed to clean our Mediterranean sea of plastics, and more largely, oceans around the world. I was not able to join this evening, but I would like to thank you all for your support and generosity. It is my strong engagement and determination to support these projects, as we have an immense responsibility towards our future generations with the state of the Planet they will inherit from us.”
Auction items this year included an arctic expedition to the North Pole with Prince Albert, a custom-made Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond pendant created from the Ocean tiara of Princess Charlene, a Porsche Taycan Turbo S (the very first electric Porsche) from Prince Albert’s personal collection, and a studio visit and creation of custom artwork from Jeff Koons.
Proceeds go towards helping the Prince Albert Foundation fulfil its mission to help develop marine protected areas and protect threatened wildlife species, as well as promote actions to mitigate the impact of climate change and acidification on the ocean and to fight against plastic pollution.
Sharon Stone joins a prestigious list of past honourees – Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Robert Redford and Sting.
By Cassandra Tanti/Stephanie Horsman. Top photo: Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Sharon Stone, by Eric Mathon Palais Princier
Divine food and beautiful locations with amazing chefs over seven weeks will be the hallmarks of SBM’s latest culinary event which will take place from the end of September through to mid-January.
After the huge success of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) summer event, the ‘Festival of Stars’, the group has decided to continue giving patrons gastronomical delights into the autumn and beyond with their latest offering of a series of themed culinary weeks.
From 27th September to 16th January, SBM bistros, restaurants and brasseries will take turns hosting seven week-long events giving visitors the chance to discover new spots and rediscover old favourites.
The event kicks off on 27th September at Le Deck at Monte-Carlo Beach with a Greek-themed week, where chef Pascal Garrigues will prepare a selection of Hellenic delicacies for lunch until 3rd October to end the beach season with a bang.
Then from 11th to 17th October, guests will get a Caribbean vibe from chef Marcel Ravin at Mada One where he takes his “snackonomy” concept to a whole new level. The chef, who hails from the French island of Martinique, is embracing his heritage and sharing it with the scents and flavours of his native land.
Up next is Limùn at the Hermitage Monte-Carlo where chef Jean-Philippe Borro and his team will provide delicious meals made from the restaurant’s very own vegetable garden. Titled ‘From land to plate’, the week of 25th to 31st October will be dedicated to fresh, healthy and tasty choices.
The cuisine of Monaco is the next to be celebrated at Le Salon Rose from 15th to 21st November in honour of National Day. All week, Le Salon Rose will be offering local specialities from the kitchen of chef Thierry Saez-Manzanares at both lunch and dinner.
L’Orange Vert at the Monte-Carlo Bay will be taking patrons to the Far East from 29th November to 5thDecember where chef Marcel Ravin will be tempting tastebuds with the exotic spices and subtle flavours of the Orient.
From 6th to 12th December, the Café de Paris will feature a week of treasures from the seas. The end of the year will be celebrated with glorious arrays of shellfish which can be eaten on site or taken home to be enjoyed.
Finally, from 10th to 16th January, L’Hirondelle will offer detox cuisine to wash away the sins of the festive season at Thermes Marin Monte-Carlo. Chef Jean-Laurent Basile will feature wellness cuisine that will make patrons feel lighter and cleaner after the excesses of the holidays fade away.
All the events will be held in compliance with the latest health measures. Reservations are recommended and can be made at the individual locations.
While his classmates cowered when the career councillor loomed into view at school, Robert McFarlane was busy sketching boats. He always knew he wanted to design blue water ships.
His ‘ship’, as it were, did in fact ‘come in’ as planned all that time ago in the class room. These days, McFarlane is known as the “Yacht Doctor”, with clients often seeking his input into their projects built at some of the best known shipyards.
This year two of McFarlane ShipDesign collaborative projects are presenting at the Monaco Yacht Show: the 108m MY IJE, and the 62m MY Cloud Nine.
At the age of 17, Robert McFarlane went to sea aboard a 120-passenger square rigger. Says McFarlane, “I worked my way up from’“before the mast’ to deck officer. With that practical knowledge, I went to study naval architecture at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.”
McFarlane has been based in Monaco since the 2000s after operating offices and working with shipyards across the world. Since 1992, the company has specialised in small cruise ships, superyachts, tall ships and expedition ships. The team’s expertise covers sail and motor vessels ranging from 50 to 150m. They do conversions, refits and new builds from pre-purchase stage to delivery. They’re a leading authority in today’s hot topic of Expedition Yachts and Ice Class vessels.
“My experience with expedition cruise ships over the years means I have performed each of the tasks involved with expedition ships, such as onboard operation, design, building and shore side operation. I started working with yachts in the late 80s and have become more and more specialised in working with them, their builders and the ever evolving industry.” MY Ije, Benetti
For those of us wondering what the difference actually is between a naval architect and an exterior designer, the architect designs the yacht to work, and the exterior designer makes it look good.
“For a good design, both the naval architecture needs to be correct and the exterior design needs to be appealing,” says McFarlane. “And to achieve a stunning result, the exterior designer has to take into consideration naval architecture. It’s a collaboration between the two.”
He adds, “In refit work it is always a pleasure to surprise and show how one vessel can successfully become another, be it interior or exterior spaces. For new builds, I enjoy providing naval architecture consultation and concept design, but I especially enjoy the client meetings where we discuss and make their dreams and desires a possibility.”
With refits, the trick is to be able to work with certain limitations and yet deliver a new concept. “We find having good class and flag knowledge really makes a difference to the timeline of the refit works and can save a lot of the budget,” he says.
For new builds, McFarlane explains that architects need to be aware of what is in the industry in the “now” and what the industry will look like in the future. Which toys are popular? Which places are owners wanting to visit? Which technology advancements are being made? Those are the questions you need to ask.
Previous projects include a complete refit of the Amels 76.6m MY Boadicea, the conversion of a patrol vessel into a luxury expedition yacht, now MY Enigma XK, and two major refits on MY Artic P. MY Cloud 9, San Lorenzo
So, what lurks impatient to leap into life on the McFarlane ShipDesign drawing board right now? He explains: ”Several expeditions cruise ships have new routes opening and we are designing vessels able to discover more of the Arctic and Antarctic regions. There’s also an expedition yacht, MY Seahawk, for Swiss Ocean Services, currently on the drawing board.”
“Sustainability is a big issue that I think the industry is really starting to embrace. More and more clients are approaching me asking for a greener yacht, or alternative fuels, and the industry in regards to technology and regulation needs to continue improving in this aspect.”
After the trajectory from school boy fantasist to the “Superyacht doctor” of the Monaco Yacht Show, McFarlane’s plans are now simple: to stay healthy and keep building boats. “I just like seeing my clients happy. That makes me feel proud.”
At Close Quarters with Robert McFarlane:
If you weren’t a naval architect, what would you be?
A teacher, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience to the next generation. What’s your advice to someone looking to break into a career like yours?
Take your theoretical to practical and get onboard some yachts and vessels. Your worst career moment?
Luckily it has not happened yet. Most difficult part of your job?
Climbing into some tanks or small spaces in the yachts. Yachting is not always glamorous for the naval architect. Best part of your job?
Meeting new people and projects around the globe who share the same love for the sea. What are you most proud of?
The fact I have been able to share my passion for the sea and sailing with my daughters. Favourite meal?
Anything spicy A figure you admire?
The original explorers and cartographers of our oceans. A favourite place/restaurant in Monaco?
The water in front of the Oceanographic Museum (great spot for free-diving).
Photos: McFarlane ShipDesign
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