Award 01
Fastest Growing Startup
The strongest overall growth versus the approved baseline, designed to keep small and large startups comparable.
SimilarWebApp StoreLinkedIn
Highest combined growth percentage
Season 1 awards
15 recognition categories
Season 1 begins with award categories and public recognition. Sponsor prizes can be added when terms, eligibility, and claim conditions are confirmed.
Season 1 starts as recognition
These are award categories, not guaranteed cash prizes. Sponsor prizes can be attached later when terms, eligibility, delivery, and claim conditions are clear.
Award 02
Best User Growth
User traction across DAU, MAU, downloads, web traffic, or other public user-growth signals.
App StorePlay StoreSimilarWeb
Highest user-growth signal
Award 03
Breakout of the Year
Breakout traction from zero or near-zero, mainly for pre-product or newly launched startups.
Product HuntGitHubCrunchbase
Highest absolute breakout traction from zero
Award 04
Best Fundraising Round
Publicly announced round size or valuation uplift during the season.
CrunchbaseDealStreetAsia
Largest public fundraising signal
Award 05
Best Bootstrapped
Growth achieved with no external funding, verified through public and ecosystem signals where possible.
CrunchbaseSimilarWebIncubator data
Best growth among bootstrapped startups
Award 06
Best B2B SaaS
B2B SaaS growth across ARR/MRR proxies, traffic, headcount, product adoption, and funding signals.
SimilarWebLinkedInCrunchbase
Best B2B SaaS growth signal
Award 07
Best Fintech Startup
The strongest fintech startup by growth within its sector.
SimilarWebApp StoreCrunchbase
Highest sector growth score
Award 08
Best Edtech Startup
The strongest edtech startup by growth within its sector.
SimilarWebApp StoreLinkedIn
Highest sector growth score
Award 09
Best Healthtech Startup
The strongest healthtech startup by growth within its sector.
SimilarWebApp StoreCrunchbase
Highest sector growth score
Award 10
Best Greentech Startup
The strongest greentech startup by growth within its sector.
SimilarWebCrunchbaseLinkedIn
Highest sector growth score
Award 11 - New
Fastest Ship
The fastest path from registration to public launch or public release.
Product HuntGitHub Releases
Shortest registration-to-launch window
Award 12 - New
Most Improved
The clearest improvement in ratings, reviews, or customer satisfaction signals.
App StorePlay StoreG2 / Capterra
Highest improvement signal
Award 13 - New
Most Consistent
The longest visible operating streak through commits, releases, changelogs, or public updates.
GitHubProduct Hunt
Longest consistent public activity streak
Award 14
Best Female-Led Startup
A qualifying female-led startup with the strongest total score.
LinkedInCrunchbaseSelf-declare
Highest total score among eligible female-led startups
Award 15
Best Student Startup
A qualifying student startup with the strongest total score.
LinkedInGitHubSelf-declare
Highest total score among eligible student startups
How winners are determined
SOFL prioritizes public data and third-party signals. Admin work is limited to standardizing data, checking eligibility, handling missing data, and resolving disputes under the published policies.