Startup of the Year

📅 February 9, 2026 | 📁 | ✍️ Phoenix

The Startup of the Year award celebrates emerging companies that have demonstrated exceptional growth, innovation, and potential. This award recognizes startups that have achieved product-market fit, secured meaningful traction, and positioned themselves as future industry leaders within their first few years of operation.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Company founded within the last 5 years
  • Demonstrated revenue or user growth
  • Secured seed, Series A, or Series B funding
  • Clear path to scalability and market leadership

Evaluation Focus:

  • Business Model Innovation
  • Market Traction & Growth Metrics
  • Team Quality & Execution
  • Product Differentiation
  • Unit Economics & Path to Profitability

Judging Criteria:

  • Growth & Traction (35%)
  • Innovation & Differentiation (25%)
  • Market Opportunity (20%)
  • Team & Execution (20%)
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