Starting a new business is exciting, but getting noticed can be tough. 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, making it an easy way to boost your online presence and reach more people. Here’s a list of the 12 best startup directories and websites to list your business on.
Rundown
- For local search visibility: Google My Business, “Boosts local search presence, making your startup appear alongside similar businesses when relevant keywords are searched.”
- For brand awareness amongst target audience: Feedough, “Increases online visibility and attracts potential investors by listing your startup in a specialised directory with a full editorial write-up.”
- To get noticed by potential investors: Crunchbase, “Provides a comprehensive platform where investors can discover and follow your startup’s progress.”
- To get the attention of top VCs and angel investors: AngelList, “Connects startups with top investors for potential funding opportunities.”
- For startup fundraising and investor matching: Gust, “Matches startups with investors, facilitating fundraising efforts.”
- Best for B2B service providers and agencies: Clutch, “Features verified reviews and ratings, improving credibility and attracting B2B clients.”
- To find early adopters: ProductHunt, “Showcases new products to a community of tech enthusiasts and early adopters.”
- To find prospective investors: F6S, “Offers access to accelerators, investors, and free resources for startups.”
- To get product feedback: Hacker News, “Provides a forum for tech professionals to discuss and share startup-related content.”
- For promoting your startup: Killer Startups, “Features daily reviews of new startups, increasing exposure to a large audience.”
- To share your startup, get feedback and advice: Reddit r/startups, “A subreddit dedicated to discussions, advice, and networking for startup founders.”
- 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
For local search visibility
Google My Business
Platform Type | Local business listing and search visibility tool |
Best For | Startups with a local or physical presence |
Pricing Model | Free |
Key Feature | Appears in local search results and Google Maps |
Listing Type | Self-managed business profile |
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, listing on GMB means you can appear when people search for “financial advisor near me”, helping your startup get noticed by potential clients in your area. The platform is completely free to use.
- You can collect data on how customers find you, what they click on, and where they come from, helping you understand your target audience better.
- You can get customer reviews on your products and services and respond to them directly from your profile.
- You can add booking or calling buttons to your profile for direct appointments without the customer needing to visit your website first.
- You can upload pictures and videos to showcase your business, products, or premises to people who find you in search.
You’ll need to manually update your profile regularly to keep it fresh and accurate. Customer review management requires attention, as negative reviews can affect how people see your business. The verification process can also be slow since Google mails a postcard with a confirmation code to your business address, which means you may have to wait before accessing everything the platform offers.
For brand awareness amongst target audience
Feedough
Platform Type | Editorial startup directory and business resource hub |
Best For | Startups seeking editorial coverage and investor visibility |
Pricing Model | Free (selective approval) |
Key Feature | Full blog post written about your startup, not just a listing |
Monthly Visitors | 1M+ |
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. With over 1 million monthly visitors, having your startup listed here means a chance to be seen by a large audience including potential investors. What sets it apart is that they don’t simply list your startup in the directory. You get a full blog post written about your business, free of any cost.
- 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 use tools and generators such as a 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 and learn from how others have built their businesses.
- You can access startup consulting and mentorship programmes through the platform to help you succeed at each stage of your journey.
Just a heads up: not all submissions are approved. Feedough carefully selects which startups to feature, so you need to provide all the details about your startup accurately and ensure it meets their editorial criteria before submitting.
To get noticed by potential investors
Crunchbase
Platform Type | Business information and investor discovery platform |
Best For | Startups seeking investor visibility and funding |
Pricing Model | Free (basic) / From $29/mo (Pro) |
Key Feature | Widely used by VCs, journalists, and enterprise partners |
Listing Type | Self-submitted company profile |
Crunchbase is one of the best startup directories to be listed on if you want investors to notice you and receive funding. It is a platform where you can find information about any company, big or small, and it is widely used by investors and venture capitalists actively looking for businesses to invest in. You can create a profile to showcase what your startup has accomplished, share updates, and highlight your growth. Journalists looking for new businesses to write about also browse Crunchbase regularly.
- You can access useful data and insights about your startup’s performance, including website traffic, and compare yourself to others in your industry.
- You can connect with other startups, investors, and industry experts directly through the platform.
- You can post job openings on Crunchbase to attract talented people, as many job seekers browse the platform specifically for startup opportunities.
- You can share funding updates and milestones on your profile to keep investors and followers informed of your progress.
While basic listing is free, accessing advanced features and detailed analytics requires a paid subscription. With so many startups listed on Crunchbase, standing out to investors can also be a challenge, so investing time in a complete and well-written profile is important.
To get the attention of top VCs and angel investors
AngelList
Platform Type | Startup and investor network |
Best For | Startups raising funds from VCs and angel investors |
Pricing Model | Free (basic) / Paid for advanced features |
Key Feature | Global investor network with syndicate investment tools |
Listing Type | Startup profile with fundraising management tools |
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 connects startups with investors from all over the world who are actively looking to invest in businesses. You can create a detailed profile including information about your business model, market, team, and progress so far, presenting your startup in a professional way to investors.
- You can use built-in tools to manage your fundraising process, track who’s interested in investing, and handle paperwork all in one place.
- You can post job openings to find talented individuals, as many job seekers interested in startups actively browse AngelList.
- You can join or create syndicates, which are groups of investors who pool their money together to invest in startups, increasing your chances of securing the funding you need.
- You can track investor interest and manage communications directly from your AngelList dashboard throughout the fundraising process.
Note that it can be hard to stand out among the many startups on the platform. Some basic features are free, but advanced features require payment. Building a strong profile and actively managing fundraising conversations also takes significant time and effort, particularly for founders without a dedicated team handling investor relations.
For startup fundraising and investor matching
Gust
Platform Type | Startup-investor matching and fundraising platform |
Best For | Early-stage startups seeking investor connections |
Pricing Model | Free to join |
Key Feature | 800,000+ founders network with fundraising management tools |
Listing Type | Detailed startup profile with pitch deck upload |
When it comes to raising funds and getting investment for your startup, Gust is one of the key startup directories to explore. It helps you connect with potential investors and VCs from all over the world, whether your business is brand new or has been running for some time. Over 800,000 founders have joined the platform to connect and network with potential investors. Importantly, Gust doesn’t just introduce you to investors — it also gives you tools and information to help you manage the whole fundraising process from one place.
- You can create a complete, professional-looking profile for your startup including your business model, product, team, and financials.
- You can use the platform to manage your fundraising strategies, track interested investors, communicate with them, and handle paperwork.
- You can upload key documents like your pitch deck and business plan directly to your profile for investors to review.
- You can access helpful resources including articles, guides, and tools to understand the fundraising process and improve your pitch.
Worth knowing before you commit: setting up your profile takes time and requires detailed information about your business and finances. Since many startups use Gust, it can be hard to get noticed by investors without putting in extra effort to make your startup stand out from the crowd.
Best for B2B service providers and agencies
Clutch
Platform Type | B2B service provider directory with verified reviews |
Best For | Agencies, consultancies, and B2B service startups |
Pricing Model | Free (basic) / Paid for premium visibility |
Key Feature | Verified client reviews with ratings on quality, cost, and communication |
Listing Type | Service provider profile with case studies and testimonials |
If you provide services to other businesses, such as marketing, design, or web development, you should consider listing your company on Clutch. It is a platform where you can showcase your services and collect verified client reviews and ratings covering the quality, cost, and communication of your work. Many businesses use Clutch to find trustworthy service providers, so having your business listed there can help you attract new clients.
- You can create a complete profile showing what you do and who’s on your team, helping potential clients understand what you can deliver.
- You can list your services in specific categories, making it easier for potential clients to find you when searching for a particular type of provider.
- You can upload past project examples and case studies to demonstrate the quality and range of your previous work.
- You can access research and industry insights to stay up to date on what’s happening in your market and make better business decisions.
Do note that setting up a detailed profile and collecting client reviews can be time-consuming. Your reputation on Clutch depends entirely on client reviews, which can be challenging to gather consistently. While basic listing is free, accessing premium features and higher visibility positions requires a paid subscription.
To find early adopters
ProductHunt
Platform Type | Product launch and discovery community |
Best For | Tech startups launching new products to early adopters |
Pricing Model | Free |
Key Feature | Community voting system with daily email featuring top products |
Listing Type | Product submission with maker profile |
If you’re a tech startup, you’ve probably already heard of ProductHunt. It is one of the most popular platforms for launching new products and services, especially those that are tech-related, and is widely used by early adopters and tech enthusiasts who enjoy discovering and sharing new tools. The community not only tries out your products but also gives you valuable feedback that can help you improve and build an initial user base.
- You can create a maker profile where you share a bit about yourself, link to your other projects, and build a following within the community.
- You can earn votes from the community, with higher-ranked products receiving more visibility and attention from potential users and investors.
- You can get featured in ProductHunt’s daily email if your product ranks well, reaching a large audience of tech enthusiasts in one go.
- You can join conversations and comments with the community, helping you build relationships and understand what users like and dislike about your product.
Okay, but there is one thing about ProductHunt worth noting: with many products launched daily, standing out and getting votes can be challenging. The attention from a ProductHunt launch can also be short-lived, so you need to keep working hard to maintain momentum after your launch day is over.
To find prospective investors
F6S
Platform Type | Startup network with accelerator and investor access |
Best For | Startups seeking accelerators, grants, and investor connections |
Pricing Model | Free |
Key Feature | Access to accelerator programmes, events, and free business tools |
Listing Type | Startup profile with programme application management |
F6S is one of the essential startup directories that helps you find investors and valuable resources for growing your startup. It is a great platform to network with other founders and potential investors, connecting you with accelerators and investors from all over the world who are looking for startups to invest in. The platform also provides several free resources including business tools, software, and educational content to support your startup journey.
- You can apply to accelerator and funding programmes directly through the platform, which can provide funding, guidance, and resources to help your business grow.
- You can 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 help you connect with investors and other entrepreneurs.
- You can use F6S to track all your applications to accelerators and funding programmes, keeping everything organised in one place.
There is one limitation to flag here: many startups use F6S, so standing out to investors and accelerators can be hard. Finding good opportunities and completing strong applications also takes significant time and effort, particularly if you are applying to multiple programmes simultaneously.
To get product feedback
Hacker News
Platform Type | Tech community forum and discussion platform |
Best For | Tech startups seeking feedback from a developer and founder community |
Pricing Model | Free |
Key Feature | “Launch HN” and “Ask HN” threads for direct community engagement |
Listing Type | Community post or submission (not a traditional directory) |
Hacker News is a community of tech enthusiasts, developers, and startup founders who discuss and share technology and startup-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 direct feedback from a technically sophisticated audience. You can also use it to follow industry trends and participate in high-quality discussions.
- You can participate in discussions related to the latest technology trends, startups, and programming, and learn something new from the community every day.
- You can share articles, blogs, and news related to your startup or industry to get exposure and engage with an active, discerning audience.
- You can post about your product launches or updates and receive direct feedback from tech enthusiasts and early adopters who are willing to give honest opinions.
- You can use the “Ask HN” function to submit queries to the community and receive answers from experienced founders, engineers, and investors.
With many users posting content every day, standing out can be challenging, so posting high-quality and genuinely useful content is essential to getting attention. Staying active and engaged on the platform regularly also takes real time and effort, but it is important if you want to build a presence and be noticed by the right people.
For promoting your startup
Killer Startups
Platform Type | Editorial startup review and discovery platform |
Best For | Startups seeking exposure through editorial review coverage |
Pricing Model | Free (selective approval) |
Key Feature | Daily editorial reviews with community voting and expert commentary |
Audience | 600,000+ startups and 14 million supporters |
If you want to increase visibility for your startup, Killer Startups is a valuable addition to your list of directories. Every day, they write review articles about new companies, helping these businesses get noticed by potential customers, investors, or partners. With an audience of over 600,000 startups and 14 million supporters, it is a platform where your startup can gain meaningful exposure beyond what a simple listing entry typically provides.
- You can have the community validate your startup through voting, which helps build credibility with people who discover you on the platform.
- You can receive direct user comments and feedback on your review, giving you honest insight into how people perceive your startup.
- You can explore other startups by category or tag, making it easy to find relevant businesses and understand your competitive landscape.
- You can benefit from the editorial team’s expert opinions and highlights, which add additional credibility to your startup’s review beyond user votes alone.
One thing to know about Killer Startups: they do not accept every startup. The platform carefully selects which ones to feature, so your startup must meet certain criteria to be listed. Make sure your submission is thorough and clearly communicates what makes your business worth featuring.
To share your startup, get feedback and advice
Reddit r/startups
Platform Type | Online community forum for founders |
Best For | Founders seeking feedback, advice, and peer networking |
Pricing Model | Free |
Key Feature | “Share Your Startup” thread for direct community introductions |
Listing Type | Community post or discussion thread (not a traditional directory) |
Reddit’s r/startups community is a great place to promote your startup and get useful feedback and advice. 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 people who have faced the same challenges you are facing now.
- You can join discussions on various startup topics, from idea validation to scaling your business, and learn from the experiences of others in the community.
- You can talk to industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, and investors through Q&A sessions and community threads.
- You can access and share helpful resources, tools, and articles related to startups that other founders in the community have found valuable.
- You can use the “Share Your Startup” thread to introduce your business to the community and receive direct responses and feedback.
Worth knowing before you commit: with many posts submitted daily, getting your post noticed and receiving enough responses can be challenging. Not all interactions on Reddit are professional either, and some advice may not be relevant to your specific situation, so it is worth cross-checking guidance you receive with other sources.
To find beta testers
BetaList
Platform Type | Pre-launch and beta startup discovery platform |
Best For | Startups in pre-launch or beta needing early testers and feedback |
Pricing Model | Free (slow review) / Paid for faster approval |
Key Feature | Access to a newsletter of thousands of early adopters and tech enthusiasts |
Listing Type | Startup profile submitted for editorial review before launch |
BetaList is the platform to go to if you want to find early testers and get feedback on your startup before you fully launch it. Here, you can connect with people who love trying out new products and services and receive useful feedback from beta users on what’s working and what’s not, so you can improve before releasing to the wider public.
- You can get your startup in front of a targeted audience of tech-savvy people who actively seek out new products to try, helping you build an initial user base.
- You can connect with other entrepreneurs and users who share similar interests and learn from their experiences building early-stage products.
- You can be featured in BetaList’s newsletter, which is sent to thousands of people interested in discovering new and innovative startups.
- You can use your BetaList listing to gain initial traction that can carry over to other directories and press coverage after your launch.
Just a heads up: BetaList doesn’t accept every startup and is selective about who they list, so your submission needs to meet their criteria. While you can submit for free, paying gets you approved faster and gives you more visibility. For best results, submit at least two months before your planned launch date if you’re going the free route.
