---
title: "Methodology"
canonical_url: "https://techstartup.directory/methodology/"
last_updated: "2026-10-15"
last_verified: "Not yet verified"
---

# Methodology

**Summary:** An award program is listed only if it is publicly documented and its results are published by the organizer or a recognized news outlet. Every result on this site links to that source.

### Inclusion criteria

An award program is included when it:

1. Has an identifiable organizer with a public website.
2. Has run at least one completed edition with published results.
3. Covers technology products, companies or people.
4. Publishes its categories and how entries are judged.

### Types of recognition

We label each program by how winners are chosen, because the type affects what an award means:

| Type | How winners are chosen |
|---|---|
| Competition | Entries are submitted and judged by a jury. Often paid. |
| Pitch competition | Startups pitch live to judges. |
| Ranking | Based mainly on data such as revenue growth or funding. |
| Editorial list | Chosen by a publication's editors. |
| Review-based | Based on verified user reviews. |
| Public vote | Decided fully or partly by public voting. |
| Prize | Nomination-based, usually with a monetary award. |

### Result levels

We record results exactly as the organizer publishes them: **Winner**, **Finalist**, **Shortlisted** or **Honorable Mention**, plus program-specific tiers (for example "Best of Innovation" at CES). We never upgrade a result level.

### Sources and verification

- **Primary sources first:** the organizer's official announcement or winners page.
- **Secondary sources:** national news outlets, used only when the organizer has not published a full list. They are labeled as such.
- Each award profile shows a **Last verified** date. Profiles are re-checked at least every 12 months and after each new edition.
- Fields we cannot confirm are shown as **Not disclosed**, never estimated.

### What we do not do

- We do not rate or rank award programs against each other.
- We do not list results without a source link.
- We do not accept payment to add, remove or change a result.

Last updated: 2026-10-15

Editor: [Tech Awards Team](https://techstartup.directory/about/)

Tech Awards Team