2019 Startup Program Winners Announcement

TL;DR

Eightbase was announced as the Grind Startup of the Year after a demanding selection process focused on product quality, market traction, market size, funding strategy, and founding-team experience. The company also stood out for strong revenue, investor interest, and founders with experience in fast-growing companies and exits. Read on for the selection criteria, winner benefits, and differences between Startup Grind’s programs.

Transcript

I've been talking about this for the last couple of days well actually only to you for the last couple of days but I've been talking about this for about the last four or five months when we've been preparing for for a global conference really really really exciting to announce the startup of the year you'll remember me talking about the fact that ... Read More

Key Insights

• 😖 Selection process involved evaluating product quality, market traction, founding team experience, and investor interest.
• 🏆 Winners of Startup of the Year awards receive exposure, mentorship, and partnership opportunities with Startup Grind chapters.
• 🔉 Growth Startup winners receive peer mentorship, extended social media coverage, and speaking slots at global events.
• 😉 Winning companies like Eightbase and IOTAS are revolutionizing software development and IoT services.
• 💪 Startup Grind recognizes and rewards innovative startups with strong growth potential.
• 😖 The awards highlight the importance of product quality, market traction, and experienced founding teams.
• 💦 Companies like IOTAS working with industry giants like JPMorgan showcase the caliber of winners.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who won the Grind Startup of the Year award?

Eightbase was announced as the Grind Startup of the Year. The announcement followed a difficult selection process involving companies from around the world.

Q: How were the Startup of the Year finalists selected?

Startup Grind assessed product quality and stage, product iteration, market traction, market size, and funding strategy. The team also considered how bootstrapped businesses grew and the previous experience of each founding team.

Q: What separated the winning companies from the other finalists?

The selected companies demonstrated especially strong traction and substantial revenue. They also attracted strong investor interest before and during the conference, while their founding teams had experience working in and exiting fast-growing companies.

Q: How extensive was the startup selection process?

The Startup Grind team spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours speaking with startups around the world. Exhibitors went through many selection stages before reaching the conference.

Q: What benefits did the Grind Startup of the Year receive?

The winner received exposure through a Medium article and promotion on Twitter, including a feature about its journey to the award. It could also partner with selected Startup Grind chapters and receive a one-to-one mentorship meeting with Startup Grind’s founder and CEO.

Q: How could the winner work with Startup Grind chapters?

The winner could choose chapters that matched its growth strategy and plans. Those chapter partnerships could then be incorporated into the company’s growth plans.

Q: What startup programs were included in the announcement?

Startup Grind described two programs: the Grind program and the Growth program. The organizers planned to announce the winners for each program separately.

Q: Why did founding-team experience matter in the judging?

The selection team examined whether founders had experience building fast-growing companies or completing previous exits. Both selected companies had founding teams with substantial relevant experience, which helped distinguish them in a very close decision.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Startup Grind announces winners of Startup of the Year awards.

• Selection process involved rigorous criteria like product quality, market traction, and founding team experience.

• Winners receive exposure, mentorship, and opportunities to partner with Startup Grind chapters.