THE founder of the company behind a “Google Maps for boats” has been named one of the best entrepreneurs in the business.

Poole-based Jelte Liebrand, founder of marine technology business Savvy Navvy, is a finalist in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Around half a million people make use of the product in more than 100 countries.

Mr Liebrand said: “Being shortlisted in the Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year category is a great boost for me and my team, as we work hard to fulfil our vision to get more people out on the water.

“Savvy Navvy really is as simple as Google Maps for boats. Over the past five years we have worked hard to constantly develop our app with unique and user-friendly features based on feedback from users.

“As part of our continuous growth, we now support more than boaters –giving anyone on the water, whether it’s a paddleboarder, a kayaker, jet skier or someone in a 50ft yacht access to our platform. We’re definitely scaling up, having more than doubled in the past 12 months already.”

Mr Liebrand let his job as a Google software engineer to set up the business, launching the navigation app in 2018. Since its first crowdfunding campaign in 2019, it has raised more than £3milion in three further campaigns.

Twelve Great British Entrepreneur Awards will be given out in each region for the categories, with winners announced at the Grosvenor Hotel in London on November 21.