The event also pushed the button on a new website through which companies can now register for the regatta and two days of racing, making the most of the networking and team-building opportunities on offer.
Justin Langford, commercial director and co-founder of Coeo, and a member of the Silicon Cup committee, said: "The regatta attracts a broad spectrum of people including those who are stepping onto a boat for the first time, as well as those who are serious sailors and compete regularly.
"Everyone who enters will have an 'awesome time', while building long-lasting relationships and raising money for charity. There is nothing better than doing something you enjoy for the benefit of others; which is why we want as many companies as possible to register this year."
The Silicon Cup was first run in 2000 and since then more than 7,000 people have taken part. Entrants don’t need to be experienced, as registration secures a Sunsail boat for up to ten people, along with a professional skipper and mate and safety gear.
Langford explained: "The boats are crewed by skilled, professional sailors who can race the boat if necessary, so participants can be involved as much or as little as they want. That said, these are high intensity races over short courses.
"Most sailing races have to use a handicap system, with boats starting from different places. But Sunsail has one of the biggest, matched fleets in the world, so in the Silicon Cup everybody starts from the same point and competes on a level playing field."
Registered companies can use their boat for corporate hospitality, to reward high-performing staff, or for team-building.
Peter Jeffery, partner at Moore Blatch said: "We came on board last year and renewing our sponsorship was a no brainer. Last year’s regatta was a great experience for team members and customers.
"We spent two days working together, and that really strengthens bonds. It’s also great to know that you are giving something to charity. The Silicon Cup is good for the team, good for business, and good for charity, which is why we are so pleased to support it."
The Silicon Cup has raised a cumulative £900,000 for charity through registrations, donations and an auction for unique prizes that is held during a celebration dinner at the end of the first day.
The regatta supports Dreams Come True, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, and the Andrew Simpson Foundation; three charities that enrich the lives of children with serious medical conditions, provide opportunities for young people and encourage them to take up sailing.
Langford said: "We are now on a push to raise the £1 million. That will be real milestone for the people who have supported us, and for the charities we support in turn."
Duncan Souster, the chief executive of nominated charity the Jubilee Sailing Trust, told the launch event about its unique mission to help people who face challenges in life, by enabling them to crew its two tall ships.
"People muck in together, which creates social chemistry, builds life skills, and sets people challenges that enable them to reappraise their sense of self," he said.
"It is the support of events like the Silicon Cup that enable people to go through that transformational experience. We are very much looking forward to this year's regatta; and we thank everybody who takes part."
Martin Neal, head of challenges and events for Dreams Come True said: "We are delighted to be working with the Silicon Cup again in 2019. The event has been supporting Dreams Come True for more than 12 years now, raising a staggering £182,000 in that time.
"The Silicon Cup has fulfilled the dreams of more than 60 children and young adults, aged two to 21, across the UK. We thank everybody involved for their support and dedication."
Richard Percy, CEO at the Andrew Simpson Foundation said: "Everything we do is driven by our belief that all young people have the ability to excel and succeed in life and work. We believe that the challenges of Sailing and Watersports do this by promoting health and well-being and building essential personal skills."
"The generous funds raised by the Silicon Cup will help us to continue to deliver and provide more opportunities through our charitable activities, including our Community Sailing Programmes which make sailing accessible to those that would not otherwise be able to participate and enjoy the many benefits that they bring. Thanks to its support of the Silicon Cup, together we transform lives through Sailing."
For further information, please visit:
https://www.thesiliconcup.com
About the Silicon Cup
The Silicon Cup is the largest sailing regatta for the IT industry. It is run over the course of two days at the end of September from Cowes on the Isle of Wight and offers excellent team-building and networking opportunities while raising funds for its nominated charities.This year's event takes place on 26 and 27 September and is supporting Dreams Come True, the Jubilee Sailing Trust, and the Andrew Simpson Foundation.
About Moore Blatch
One of the leading law firms in the South East, Moore Blatch provides high quality legal services for businesses and individuals. With specialist expertise in the technology, media & telecoms, healthcare, marine and rural sectors, our services include banks & lenders, corporate & commercial, dispute resolution, employment, real estate, rural services, family law, personal injury, medical negligence, and private client work.
About the charities
Dreams Come True
Dreams Come True is a UK children's charity. Our mission is quite simply to enrich the lives of children and young people with serious and life-limiting conditions across the country by making their dreams come true. Over the last 30 years we have fulfilled dreams for more than 6,000 children and young people as well as their friends, family and carers.
Jubliee Sailing Trust
The Jubilee Sailing Trust is a registered charity whose mission is to promote the integration of people of all physical abilities via the challenge and adventure of sailing tall ships on the open sea.
Andrew Simpson Foundation
Our fundamental ethos is to facilitate a wider participation in sailing, and to optimise the benefits that the sport can deliver to young people and ultimately to society at large.