Connectivity for superyachts at sea has moved beyond a modern reality; it is now a foundational necessity. From the bridge and engine room functionality to guest and crew comfort, digital infrastructure is the vital link that keeps a vessel operational. It is the nervous system of the yacht, the vital link between process and action. Yet, it is still frequently treated as an afterthought, seen as a utility rather than the strategic asset it truly is.
Not at Mimo Connect. For the past seven years, founders Jason and Nicci Robertson have been building, innovating and pulling maritime connectivity into the superyacht industry spotlight. Through the unique blend of Jason’s ETO experience and Nicci’s competitive international sailing drive, this duo has created more than a connectivity provider. They have built a human-to-human safeguard in an increasingly automated world.
This family-led business is about more than outfitting vessels with connectivity; they are about ensuring no crew is left navigating digital connectivity alone.
We talked to Nicci Robertson about the foundations of Mimo, how innovation comes from every corner of the business and how they are paving the way for the future of connectivity, all without losing their well-earned respect and family-led philosophy.
Forged in the engine room
Mimo’s foundations weren’t built in a boardroom but forged in the high-pressure environment of superyachts’ engine rooms. Following a seven-year career as an IT consultant in London, Jason made his maiden voyage into the superyacht industry in 2008. The blend of his experience in these two worlds allowed him to identify a critical gap between technology that was being designed for theoretical specification and engineering reality, especially under pressure. For Nicci, this era provided the blueprint for what Mimo would become.
“Jason didn’t just understand the technology; he lived it, relied on it and often had to fix it under pressure. That perspective shaped everything we built at Mimo.”
The experience of non-negotiable standards underpins every solution Mimo Connect delivers. Their philosophy is simple:
“We design solutions that engineers actually want to work with… they are intuitive, robust and built with the realities of life onboard in mind.”
The family standard, culture over ego
This hands-on philosophy extends beyond the hardware and into the very DNA of the company. Mimo is a family business at its core. With no corporate walls to hide behind, individual accountability and care are built into the culture of the business. Every decision directly reflects on Jason and Nicci as individuals rather than a brand.
“It brings a level of honesty and trust that is very hard to replicate. We challenge each other constantly… There is no room for ego, only what’s right for the business, the team and our clients.”
The open and honest approach to team management is what Nicci attributes to the company’s alignment and ability to move quickly but thoughtfully. Passion, integrity and genuine care aren’t unique to Jason and Nicci but fostered as a culture throughout the Mimo team.
“It starts with who we bring into the team. Skills can be taught, but values are intrinsic. We’re very intentional with who we hire. For us, it’s about accountability and care. Clients feel that. They know they’re not just another account number.”
By fostering an environment where their team is motivated to provide a high-quality service, the Mimo family philosophy becomes the lens through which every challenge is solved.
“As we grow, it’s about embedding those values into our processes and culture so they scale with us, rather than get diluted.”
Refining the wheel
This commitment to scaling values without losing the ‘personal touch’ is perhaps most visible in Mimo’s latest innovation. At METSTRADE 2025, Mimo unveiled one of its latest products, The Curve. A full circle moment for Nicci, as it is her father who designed it and initially built all of Mimo’s products.
“It is incredibly special,” she recalls. “My father has a deep engineering background and brings that special something so central to Mimo. It adds another layer of personal connection to the products, which is very much in line with how we approach everything at Mimo.”
The Curve was not designed to reinvent the wheel but to refine it. By harnessing their core philosophy, Mimo took the systems that work and trimmed out the pain points engineers face regularly. The result is a product that proves that rugged reliability doesn’t have to look industrial. Nicci describes it as “evolution, driven from experience.”
Built in the UK with 70% recycled coastal plastics, The Curve is not just performance built but also addresses installation, maintenance, longevity and sustainability in one, all while balancing the hardware with high-end aesthetics.
The technologically advanced outfitting is designed to feel invisible on a yacht’s profile whilst delivering the rugged reliability required for the sometimes harsh conditions at sea.
“Owners and designers expect clean, elegant lines, but hardware still needs to perform. The Curve was designed to integrate seamlessly into the yacht’s profile whilst housing highly durable marine-grade components.”
Partnering with Navigatx
In March 2025, Mimo launched its partnership with the bridge hardware company Navigatx to introduce a 24/7 annual IT support package. The collaboration with DSNM’s sister company and Mimo was a practical response to the technical gap on mid-sized vessels.
“Theory only goes so far. When something goes wrong onboard, it’s rarely straightforward. Having people who understand the pressures, the environment and the systems means issues are resolved faster and more effectively. It’s practical knowledge, not just textbook understanding.”
The service acts as a virtual ETO on standby. Designed specifically for medium-sized yachts with high digital complexity, but may not have the budget for a full-time technician.
“It provides peace of mind. Not every yacht has the space or budget for a dedicated ETO, but the need for technical support doesn’t go away. A Virtual ETO bridges that gap, offering immediate access to expertise when it’s needed most. It reduces downtime, supports the crew, and ultimately protects the owner’s experience onboard.”
Staying true to philosophy
When discussing the future of digitalisation within the superyacht industry, Jason describes it as a defining force but also a double-edged sword of complexity. Nicci depicts this force as the next major technology shift in the industry.
“I think we’ll see a significant shift towards fully integrated systems, where connectivity, monitoring and authentication work seamlessly together.”
However, as systems grow more complex, the real innovation will lie in simplicity.
“Making advanced systems easier to manage and more intuitive for the crew. The winner will be those who can deliver both sophistication and simplicity.”
Nicci explains that for Mimo, the goal is to continue delivering that balance of technical excellence and personal touch.
“Our inspiration always comes from real-world challenges. We listen closely to engineers, crew and clients. As long as we stay connected to these conversations, we’ll keep developing solutions that matter.”
In an industry where technology moves faster than the standards that support it, Mimo Connect remains constant. Grounded by their Mimo family philosophy and accountability, their innovations ensure that the vessel’s connectivity remains a tool for the crew rather than a source of frustration.
Connect with Mimo
For more information on Mimo Connect, please see their details below.
Website – https://www.mimo-connect.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/mimo-connect-ltd/
Email – [email protected]
