How to Find Out Excellent Startups: 7 Expert Tips Most People Don’t Know

In today’s digital economy, finding excellent startups before they go mainstream can be both exciting and rewarding. Whether you’re an investor seeking the next unicorn, a professional looking to join a high-growth company, or an enthusiast exploring promising early-stage startups, knowing how to find great startups requires more than browsing LinkedIn or startup directories.

The startup ecosystem is vast, often noisy, and full of hype. To uncover truly high-potential startups, you need a smart, research-driven approach—one that goes beyond surface-level buzz and digs into data, vision, and long-term scalability.

Below are 7 powerful, little-known strategies to help you discover the most promising and investor-worthy startups in any sector.

1. Go Beyond Crunchbase and AngelList — Explore Emerging Databases

Most people begin their startup search on Crunchbase, AngelList, or PitchBook—but so does everyone else. To stay ahead, explore emerging startup discovery platforms like Dealroom, Tracxn, CB Insights, and StartupTalky. These platforms often surface startups that are still under the radar, providing valuable data on funding rounds, investor profiles, and competitive positioning.

Practical Ways to Apply This Tip

1. Use filters smartly: Narrow by funding stage, region, or sector to spot hidden gems early.
2. Set alerts: Get notified when new startups match your investment or industry interests.
3. Compare competitors: Use Tracxn or Dealroom to compare growth rates within the same niche.

“Bookmark your top 10 under-the-radar startups and revisit their progress monthly.”

2. Track Accelerator and Incubator Graduates

Some of the most successful startups today—like Airbnb, Dropbox, and Razorpay—emerged from startup accelerators such as Y Combinator, Techstars, and Sequoia Surge. Regularly tracking the graduates of startup accelerators gives you a curated list of vetted, high-quality ventures with strong mentorship backing. Check their demo days and pitch sessions (many are available on YouTube or investor newsletters).

Practical Ways to Apply This Tip

1. Watch Demo Day replays: You’ll find startups pitching their real metrics and roadmaps.
2. Follow mentors: Track mentors of accelerators—they often hint at promising ventures early.
3. Explore local incubators: Many regional programs in India, the UK, and Europe support highpotential founders.

“Subscribe to accelerator newsletters like Y Combinator’s Batch Updates to stay ahead.”

3. Follow Industry-Specific Startup Newsletters

Generic news rarely covers the next big player until it’s already big. Instead, subscribe to industry-specific startup newsletters—for example, Fintech Collective (for finance), TechCrunch Green (for sustainability), or FemTech Insider (for women-led innovation). These curated lists help you discover niche startups before the rest of the market notices them.

Practical Ways to Apply This Tip

• Sign up selectively: Don’t overload your inbox—follow 3 niche newsletters max.
• Highlight patterns: Take note of repeating sectors or founders appearing in multiple publications.
• Engage in comment sections: You’ll often find founders and investors exchanging insights there.

“Create a Notion page to track startups mentioned across 3 months and analyze which ones gain traction.”

4. Analyze Hiring Patterns on LinkedIn

A clever way to identify startups on the rise is by analyzing their hiring trends. Companies that are quietly scaling teams—especially in engineering, product development, or marketing—often signal internal growth and funding. Use LinkedIn filters or tools like Recruitifi and Workable insights to spot startups expanding aggressively.

Practical Ways to Apply This Tip

• Monitor roles, not titles: Growth in technical, sales, and product roles signals scaleup momentum.
• Check job posting frequency: Frequent updates usually indicate new funding or expansion.
• Use Boolean searches: Try “Series A” + “Hiring” + “India” or “Europe” to narrow startup lists.

“Follow hiring managers of fastgrowing startups—many share upcoming product insights.”

5. Follow Startup Investors, Not Startups

Rather than tracking thousands of startups directly, follow the investors and venture capitalists who consistently pick winners. VC firms like Accel, Lightspeed, Peak XV, and Blume Ventures regularly publish funding updates on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn. Watching who they back offers early visibility into promising startups.

Practical Ways to Apply This Tip

• Track VC deal flow: Review recent investments and exits to identify patterns in focus areas.
• Subscribe to investor blogs: Firms like Accel or Lightspeed often publish founder success stories.
• Check coinvestors: When multiple VCs fund the same seed round, it’s a strong confidence signal.

“Create a LinkedIn list of 20 top VCs in your sector—follow their posts weekly.”

Also, sign up for their portfolio newsletters—a simple but underused trick to spot new, excellent ventures in real time.

6. Use Startup Job Boards as an Indicator

Startup job portals such as Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent), Y Combinator Jobs, and Remote OK are goldmines for discovering startups hiring for scale. Filter by recently added companies or seed/Series A funded startups. If a startup is hiring multiple roles across departments, it’s usually a sign of funding momentum and growth potential.

Practical Ways to Apply This Tip

• Filter by funding stage: Focus on Seed to Series B startups—they often offer the highest growth potential.
• Study job descriptions: Phrases like “rapid expansion” or “new market entry” hint at scalability.
• Look for remote-first startups: These often grow faster with global teams and lower overheads.

“Set alerts on Wellfound or Y Combinator Jobs for startups hiring more than 5 roles this month.”

7. Look for Media Silence — Not Hype

This is a trick very few people use. The best startups often avoid early publicity to focus on building product-market fit. When you notice a company that has solid customer reviews, active GitHub contributions, or strong employee testimonials but minimal media presence, that’s a potential gem. These stealth startups often mature quietly before suddenly becoming market leaders.

Practical Ways to Apply This Tip

• Find stealthmode startups: Search LinkedIn for teams with generic websites but active engineering teams.
• Check engagement quietly: Analyze GitHub activity, Glassdoor reviews, and employee growth instead of press mentions.
• Compare visibility vs. traction: Low PR but high hiring or revenue usually means authentic growth.

“Add one ‘quiet achiever’ to your watchlist each week and track their quarterly updates.”

Bonus Tip: Evaluate the Founders, Not Just the Idea

Behind every excellent startup lies a resilient, visionary founder. Dig into the founder’s background—their previous ventures, domain expertise, and adaptability. Follow their public interviews, podcasts, and blog posts to understand their mindset. The founder’s clarity and resilience are often stronger predictors of success than the product itself.

Practical Ways to Apply This Tip

1. Research founder history: See if they’ve successfully built or exited startups before.
2. Study interviews and podcasts: Listen for clarity of vision and adaptability under pressure.
3. Assess foundermarket fit: Does their background align with the problem they’re solving?

“Follow 3 founders you admire—observe how they communicate progress and challenges.”

Final Thoughts

Finding excellent startups is not just about being early—it’s about being informed, analytical, and strategic. By combining data intelligence, industry awareness, and behavioral insights, you can consistently discover the best startups to invest in, work with, or partner with—long before they make headlines.

Stay curious, trust your research, and remember: the next breakout startup might already be out there, waiting to be discovered by someone who knows where—and how—to look.