The 12 Best Startup Directories & Startup Listing Websites

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Starting a new business is exciting, but getting noticed can be tough. You know you need to spread the word, but how?

There are many ways to promote your startup. You could pay for ads or try to get media coverage. But there's another powerful tool that's sometimes overlooked: startup directories and listing websites.

These online platforms can help your startup get seen by people who matter - potential customers, investors, and partners. Listing your business on these sites is usually free or low-cost. It's an easy way to boost your online presence and reach more people.

But with so many directories out there, it's hard to know which ones are worth your time. That's why we've done the research for you. Here's a list of the 12 best startup directories and websites to list your business on.

Rundown

  1. For local search visibility: Google My Business, "Boosts local search presence, making your startup appear alongside similar businesses when relevant keywords are searched."
  2. For brand awareness amongst target audience: Feedough, "Increases online visibility and attracts potential investors by listing your startup in a specialised directory."
  3. To get noticed by potential investors: Crunchbase, "Provides a comprehensive platform where investors can discover and follow your startup’s progress."
  4. To get the attention of top VCs and Angel Investors: AngelList, "Connects startups with top investors for potential funding opportunities."
  5. For startup fundraising and investor matching: Gust, "Matches startups with investors, facilitating fundraising efforts."
  6. Best for B2B service providers and agencies: Clutch, "Features verified reviews and ratings, improving credibility and attracting B2B clients."
  7. To find early adopters: ProductHunt, "Showcases new products to a community of tech enthusiasts and early adopters."
  8. To find prospective investors: F6S, "Offers access to accelerators, investors, and free resources for startups."
  9. To get product feedback: Hacker News, "Provides a forum for tech professionals to discuss and share startup-related content."
  10. For promoting your startup: Killer Startups, "Features daily reviews of new startups, increasing exposure."
  11. To share your startup, get feedback and advice: Reddit r/startups, "A subreddit dedicated to discussions, advice, and networking for startups."
  12. To find beta testers: BetaList, "Showcases startups in their pre-launch or beta phase to early adopters and potential users."

Recommended Startup Directories & Startup Listing Websites

Google My Business - Best Startup Directory

For local search visibility

Google My Business is a key player among startup directories that helps position your business prominently in search results when someone searches for your business name or similar local businesses. For example, if you've started a financial planning consultancy business, by listing your startup on GMB, you can appear when people search for "financial advisor near me". This helps your startup get noticed by potential clients near you.

The best part? GMB is a free platform where you can create a business profile for your startup and display info like "About Us" and contact details when people search your business name or relevant keywords.

Aside from that,

  • You can also collect data on how customers find you, what they click on, and where they come from. This helps you understand your target audience better.
  • You can get customer feedback and reviews on your products and services and respond to them.
  • You can add booking or calling buttons for direct appointments.
  • You can also upload pictures and videos to showcase your business or products.

GMB is a useful tool for getting your business noticed online, but there are a few things to keep in mind.

You'll have to manually update your profile to keep it fresh and updated. Be very careful with customer review management cause they can really affect how people see your business. Also, the verification process can be slow, which means you might have to wait before you can use everything the platform offers.

How to List Your Startup on Google My Business?

To list your startup on Google My Business, start by making an account on GMB. Then, enter your business details like name, address, and category. Google will mail you a postcard with a code to confirm your business address. After confirmation, complete your profile with more information, photos, and videos. Make sure to keep your listing active by posting updates and replying to customer reviews.

Feedough

For brand awareness amongst target audience

Feedough can help your startup reach its target audience and make people aware of your products or services. As one of the notable startup directories it helps you connect with potential investors and understand how to grow your business. They get over 1M monthly visitors, so having your startup listed here means you have the chance to be seen by a large audience, including potential investors.

What’s great is that they don’t just simply list your startup in the directory; instead, you get a full blog post written about your business, free of any cost.

Other than that,

  • You can access several articles, free resources and guides to help you grow your business and understand different aspects of startups and entrepreneurship.
  • You can also find tools and generators, such as business idea generator and startup cost calculator, to help you plan and manage your business.
  • You can explore other startups and their stories in the startup discovery section to find inspiration.
  • The platform also provides startup consulting and mentorship programs to help you succeed.

Feedough is a great platform for promoting your startup, but before listing, keep in mind that not all submissions are easily approved. Feedough carefully selects who to list, so be sure to provide all the details about your startup accurately.

How to List Your Startup on Feedough?

To list your startup on Feedough, go to ‘Startup Discovery’ in the ‘For Startups’ section. Then click on the ‘Get your startup discovered’ button and fill out the questionnaire that appears. Make sure to read all the instructions and fill in the necessary information. After you submit it, Feedough will review your information. If they approve your startup, they'll feature it on their homepage.

Crunchbase - Best Startup Directory

To get noticed by potential investor

Crunchbase is one of the best startup directories to be listed on if you want investors to notice you and receive funding. It's a platform where you can find all sorts of information about any company, whether big or small. Listing your startup here is a must because it’s a very well-known platform used by many investors and venture capitalists looking to invest in businesses. By being part of one of the most recognised startup directories, you also have a chance to get noticed by these investors.

You can create a profile to show what your startup has accomplished so far, share updates about your business, and highlight your growth.

By listing on Crunchbase, you also open the opportunity to get noticed by journalists looking for new businesses to write about. Other companies might also discover you there and want to work with you. Other than that,

  • You can get useful data and insights about your startup's performance, like how many people visit your website and compare yourself to others in your industry.
  • You can also connect with other startups, investors, and industry experts on Crunchbase.
  • You can post job openings on Crunchbase to find talented people. Many people looking for job opportunities browse Crunchbase, so this is a great way to find new employees and partners.

Crunchbase is undoubtedly a great platform for getting investors to notice your startup, but there are some drawbacks. While basic listing is free, you’ll have to get a paid subscription to access advanced features and detailed analytics. Also, with so many startups listed there, standing out to investors can be a challenge.

How to List Your Startup on Crunchbase?

To get your startup on Crunchbase, sign up on their website and confirm your email. Then, click "Add New" and choose "Company." Fill in all the important details about your startup, like its name, what it does, where it's located, who started it, and any funding you raised. Double-check everything, then send it in. After Crunchbase checks and approves your information, your startup will appear on their site.

AngelList

To get the attention of top VCs and Angel Investors

AngelList is one of the leading startup directories that helps you get in front of top venture capitalists and angel investors to raise funds for your startup. It's a website that helps startups like yours connect with investors from all over the world who are actively looking to invest in businesses. Listing your startup here will increase your chances of getting potential funding from investors, so don’t miss out on that.

On AngelList, you can create a detailed profile for your startup and include info about your business model, market, team, and your progress so far. Having all this information in one place helps present your startup in a professional way to investors.

●    There are tools to help you manage your fundraising process, track who's interested in investing, and handle paperwork all in one place.
●   You can also post job openings on AngelList to find talented individuals. Many job seekers interested in startups browse startup directories like AngelList, making it a great platform to find new employees.
●    You can join or create groups of investors who pool their money together to invest in startups like yours. This can increase your chances of getting the funding you need.

While AngelList is a great help for startups, it has some drawbacks. It can be hard to stand out among so many other startups. You can access some basic features for free, but if you want advanced features, you’ll have to pay. Also, it takes a lot of time and effort to make a good profile, manage fundraising, and talk to investors on the platform.

How to List Your Startup on AngelList?

To list your startup on AngelList, start by creating an account on their website. Set up your startup profile with details about your business, mission, product, team members, etc. Add any existing funding information and visuals like your logo and product images. Once complete, publish your profile and use AngelList's tools to share it with potential investors and manage your fundraising campaign.

Gust - Best Startup Directory

For startup fundraising and investor matching

When it comes to raising funds and getting investment for your startup, Gust is one of the key startup directories you should explore. It helps you connect with potential investors and VCs from all over the world who might want to invest in your business. You can use it whether your business is brand new or if it has been running for a while. It’s a great platform joined by over 800,000 founders to connect and network with potential investors.

Best part is that it doesn't just introduce you to investors but also gives you tools and information to help you manage the whole fundraising process.

  • You can create a complete, professional-looking profile for your startup on Gust, including details like your business model, product, team, and funds.
  • You can use the platform to manage your fundraising startegies, track interested investors, communicate with them, and handle paperwork.
  • You can also access various helpful resources on Gust, including articles, guides, and tools to understand the fundraising process and improve your pitch.

Gust is a powerful platform for startups looking to connect with investors, but it does have some limitations. Setting up your profile takes time and requires lots of details about your business and finances. Since many startups use Gust, it can be hard to get noticed by investors. You might have to work extra hard to make your startup stand out.

How to List Your Startup on Gust?

It’s pretty simple: create an account on Gust and set up your profile with detailed info about your business, including mission, product, market, team, and financial projections. Add visuals like your logo and product images. Upload important documents like your pitch deck and business plan. Submit your profile for review, and once approved, use Gust's tools to engage with investors, manage communications, and track your fundraising progress.

Clutch

Best for B2B service providers and agencies

As someone who provides services to other businesses (B2B), like marketing, design, web development services, etc., you should definitely consider listing your company on Clutch, one of the prominent startup directories for service providers. It's a platform where you can showcase your services and collect honest client reviews and ratings. These reviews include ratings and feedback on your service, like the quality, cost, and communication.

Many businesses use Clutch to find trustworthy service providers for their projects. So, having your business listed there can help you get new clients’ attention.

  • You can create a complete profile for your business on Clutch, showing what you do and who's on your team. This helps potential clients understand what you can do for them.
  • You can list your services in specific categories, making it easier for potential clients to find you when they're looking for something specific.
  • You can also access research and insights to stay up-to-date on what's happening in your industry. This can help you make better decisions and improve your business.

Clutch is a great platform, but it does have a few limitations. Setting up a detailed profile and requesting client reviews can be time-consuming. Your reputation on Clutch completely depends on client reviews, which can be quite challenging to collect. Also, while basic listing is free, accessing premium features and higher visibility options requires a paid subscription.

How to List Your Startup on Clutch?

To list your startup on Clutch, create an account and set up your profile with company details like business name, location, and services offered. Upload examples of past projects, case studies and client testimonials. Request reviews from clients, which Clutch will verify for authenticity. Make sure your profile is complete and optimised with relevant keywords.

ProductHunt - Best Startup Directory

To find early adopters

If you’re a tech startup, you’ve probably already heard of ProductHunt, one of the most popular startup directories for launching new products and services, especially those that are tech-related. It’s widely used by many early adopters and tech enthusiasts who like to discover and share new products to try. So, by listing your product or services here, you can get noticed by these potential users.

What’s more, the ProductHunt community not only tries out your products but also gives you valuable feedback. This feedback can help you improve and earn an initial user base. You might even get noticed by potential investors, partners, or media.

  • You can create a profile as a "maker" where you can share a bit about yourself, link to your other projects, and build a following.
  • Products are ranked based on how many votes they get from the community. If your product ranks high, more people will see it and be interested in trying it out.
  • If your product is featured in ProductHunt's daily email, it will reach a huge audience, making it more likely that you'll get noticed by potential users and investors.
  • You can join in on conversations and comments with the community, which helps you build relationships and get a better understanding of what users like and don't like.

ProductHunt is a great place to launch and promote your new products, but with many products launched daily, standing out and getting votes can be challenging. You should also keep in mind that the attention from a ProductHunt launch can be short-lived, so you need to keep working hard to stay noticed.

How to List Your Startup on ProductHunt?

To list your startup on ProductHunt, create an account and set up your maker profile with your name, background, and social media links. Submit your product with details like name, description, website, photos, etc. Highlight what makes your product unique. Select a launch date and time that works best for your target audience.

Once the product is live, engage with users by replying to comments and participating in discussions. Don't forget to promote your launch on social media and other channels to drive traffic and votes to your listing.

F6S

To find prospective investors

F6S is one of the essential startup directories that helps you find investors and valuable resources for growing your startup. It’s a great platform to network with other founders and potential investors. By listing your startup on F6S, you can connect with investors and accelerators from all over the world who are looking for startups to invest in. This will increase your chances of finding the right partner to help fund your business. 

Best part about this platform is that it provides several free resources like business tools, software, and educational content, to help you on your startup journey.

With F6S,

  • You can apply to programs that can provide funding, guidance, and resources to help your business grow.
  • You can also post job openings to attract talented people who want to work in a startup environment.
  • You can find and participate in events, competitions, and networking opportunities that can help you connect with investors and other entrepreneurs.
  • You can also use F6S to keep track of your applications to accelerators and funding programs, making it easy to manage all your information in one place.

F6S is a valuable platform for startups, but it does not come without limitations. Many startups use it, so standing out to investors and accelerators can be hard. Finding good opportunities and applying for them can also take a lot of time and work. 

How to List Your Startup on F6S?

To get your startup on F6S, go to their website and sign up for free. Fill out your startup's profile with key info like your company name, what you do, who's on your team, and details about your product or service. Keep your profile up-to-date with new achievements, and interact with other founders and startups on the platform.

Hacker News - Best Startup Directory

To get product feedback

Hacker News is a community of tech enthusiasts, developers, and startup founders to discuss and share startup and technology-related content. While not a traditional listing site, it functions similarly to startup directories by allowing you to share your startup, get it noticed, and receive feedback from a tech-savvy audience. You can also use it to get news and updates on industry trends and participate in discussions. The community is very active and can help you improve your product or startup strategy.

  • You can participate in discussions related to the latest technology trends, startups, and programming, and learn something new every day.
  • You can share articles, blogs, and news related to your startup or industry. This helps you get exposure and engage with the community.
  • You can post about your product launches or updates and get direct feedback from a community of tech enthusiasts and early adopters.
  • You can also use the "Ask HN" function to submit queries to the community and get answers from experts.

Hacker News is definitely a great community you should join as a startup, but there are a few things to note.

With many users posting content every day, standing out can be challenging. So, posting high-quality content is extremely important to get attention. Also, engaging and being active regularly can take a lot of time and effort, but it’s important if you want to be noticed by people.

How to Use Hacker News?

To use Hacker News, create an account and start by engaging with existing content by upvoting and participating in discussions. Share your own relevant and valuable content, such as articles or updates about your startup, and use the "Ask HN" feature to get feedback and advice. Keep engaging with others to get noticed, build trust, and stay up-to-date with what's happening.

Killer Startups

For promoting your startup

If you want to increase visibility for your startup, Killer Startups is a valuable addition to your list of startup directories. Every day, they write review articles about new companies, which helps these businesses get noticed by more people. By listing your startup here, you can find new customers, potential investors, or other companies that might want to work with you.

Killer Startups has a big audience, including over 600,000 startups and 14 million people who support these companies. So, it's definitely a great place for your startup to get the exposure it needs.

  • The community can validate your startup by voting for you, which can help build your credibility.
  • You can also explore other startups by category or tag, making it easy to find ones that match your interests.
  • Users can leave comments and feedback on reviews, giving you direct feedback on what people think about your startup.
  • Plus, the editorial team also shares their expert opinions and highlights, adding valuable insights to your startup's review.

Killer Startups can help make your startup more visible. But they don't accept every startup easily. They carefully choose which ones to feature on their website. So, your startup must meet certain criteria to be featured.

How to List Your Startup on Killer Startups?

To list your startup on Killer Startups, go to their website and create an account. Complete your startup profile by adding details like your company name, description, and key information about your product or service. Then submit your startup through their platform to be featured and reviewed by the community.

Reddit r/startups - Best Startup Directory

To share your startup, get feedback and advice

Reddit's r/startups community is a great place to promote your startup and get useful feedback and advice in return. While not a traditional directory, it functions similarly to startup directories by fostering startup-related discussions where founders can connect, exchange experiences, and learn from one another. Here, you can learn about others' startup journeys, share your own experiences, and get guidance from others who have faced the same challenges as you. Not only does it help your startup get exposure, but you also get actionable feedback to improve and do better.

Reddit is a free and easily accessible platform that offers many benefits, like

  • You can join discussions on various startup topics, from coming up with ideas to growing your business. This helps you learn new things and gain knowledge from others.
  • You can also talk to industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and investors through Q&A sessions.
  • You can access and share helpful resources, tools, and articles related to startups.

Reddit is undoubtedly one of the best platforms for getting feedback and advice. However, with many posts daily, it can be challenging to get your post noticed and get enough responses. Also, not all interactions on Reddit are professional, and some advice may not be relevant to your specific situation.

How to Use Reddit’s r/startups?

Create an account on Reddit and join the r/startups subreddit community. Read the rules, then start sharing your startup journey, asking for advice, and joining discussions. Use the "Share Your Startup" thread to introduce your business. Engage with others and check the subreddit regularly to stay informed.

BetaList

To find beta testers

BetaList is the perfect platform to find early testers and get feedback on your startup. Here, you can test your product before you fully launch it and connect with people who love trying out new products and services. By listing your startup here, you'll get useful feedback from these beta users. This will help you know what’s working and what’s not so you can improve your product or service before you release it to the wider public.

There are many other benefits, like

  • You can get your startup in front of a targeted audience of tech-savvy people who might be interested in using it, which can help you build a user base and get people talking.
  • You can connect with other entrepreneurs and users who share similar interests, and learn from their experiences.
  • You can also be featured in BetaList’s newsletter, which is sent to thousands of people interested in discovering new and innovative startups.

Before listing your startup on this platform, keep a few things in mind. BetaList doesn't accept every startup. They're picky about who they list, so your startup needs to fit into certain criteria. Also, while you can submit your startup for free, paying gets you approved faster and more visible.

How to List Your Startup on BetaList?

To get your startup on BetaList, create an account on their website and complete your startup's profile with key details like name, description, product or service info, and launch date. Submit your startup for review - do this two months before launch for a free listing or pay for a faster review. Keep your profile updated and be ready for more attention from other directories after you're featured on BetaList.