Best Startup Directories in India for 2026
The best startup directories for Indian founders are the Indian marketplaces where business buyers compare software, the government programs that recognise startups, and the global launch boards that take Indian products. We open each site and record its cost, link type and rules before we list it. Last checked 2 Nov 2026.
Checked by Rahul Ajmera · · We run IndieNeed
Quick answer: the top 5
- Startup India: Indian registered entities seeking DPIIT recognition. Cost: free.
- SoftwareSuggest: B2B software vendors seeking reviews and buyer leads. Cost: free + paid.
- Techjockey: B2B software vendors selling to Indian businesses. Cost: free.
- YourStory Company Listing: Indian startups wanting a YourStory company profile. Cost: not checked.
- Inc42 Startup Spotlight: India-focused tech startups seeking editorial coverage. Cost: not checked.
Selling worldwide too? Add the global launch boards below, or see all of the best startup directories.
Indian directories and marketplaces
Cost and link type from each site's own pages or a live listing, on the date shown. "Not checked" means we have not verified it.
| Directory | Type | Best for | Cost | Link type | Account needed? | Last checked | Submission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SoftwareSuggest | Review site | B2B software vendors seeking reviews and buyer leads | Free product listing; Basic $4,000 / ₹3,00,000 (6 months), Gold $9,000 / ₹6,50,000 (6 months), Platinum $15,000 / ₹10,00,000 (12 months) | Free profiles we saw had no website link. Paid profiles link through a sponsored, nofollow redirect | Yes | Open submit form | |
| Techjockey | Catalog | B2B software vendors selling to Indian businesses | List for Free | No link to your own site: buyers purchase through Techjockey | Yes | Open submit form | |
| YourStory Company Listing | Catalog | Indian startups wanting a YourStory company profile | Not checked | Dofollow | Yes | Open submit form | |
| Tracxn | Catalog | Startups wanting to appear in investor deal-sourcing data | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked | Open submit form |
SoftwareSuggest
A business software review and comparison site, used by teams researching tools. B2B, off-the-shelf software only. Prices are shown in US dollars with a rupee toggle.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 on softwaresuggest.com/, softwaresuggest.com/vendors, softwaresuggest.com/pricing, softwaresuggest.com/vendors/guidelines, softwaresuggest.com/agent-clara, softwaresuggest.com/ciferon.
Techjockey
A software marketplace where businesses discover, compare and buy software, with user reviews. Vendors list through eSeller Hub and get calls and demo requests. Buyer prices are in rupees, shown with and without GST.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 on techjockey.com/, esellerhub.techjockey.com/, techjockey.com/detail/onefinops.
YourStory Company Listing
YourStory's company listing is a directory of Indian startup and company profiles curated by YourStory Media. A company listing curated by YourStory Media. Submission is a Google Form that needs Google sign-in.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 on yourstory.com/companies, docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetnejE9KBrZoqrnqR3Ts4Pd3eN3MjB-honhmImL59HPu14Eg/viewform, yourstory.com/companies/backlinkvigil.
Tracxn
A private-company data platform that investors and corporates use to track startups. Founders can submit through its List Your Startup form, reviewed by an analyst. Its coverage is worldwide.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 on tracxn.com/, tracxn.com/listyourstartup, tracxn.com/pricing.
Government and ecosystem programs
Startup India and DPIIT recognition
Under the Startup India initiative, eligible companies can get recognised as startups by DPIIT, for tax benefits (80IAC), self-certification, faster patent and IPR applications and easier public procurement.
Recognition is available through the National Single Window System (nsws.gov.in): create an account, add the "Registration as a Startup" approval, then fill in and submit it. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry "does not charge any fee" for the DPIIT Certificate of Recognition.
Who can apply: A Private Limited Company, Partnership Firm, LLP or Cooperative Society (not a sole proprietorship), with turnover under INR 200 crore (300 crore for DeepTech) and up to 10 years from incorporation (20 for DeepTech).
One older form on startupindia.gov.in still asks you to certify turnover under "one hundred crore rupees", while the eligibility page says INR 200 crore. Applications now go through NSWS, whose form we have not checked.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 on startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/startup-scheme.html, startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/startupgov/startup_recognition_page.html, startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/recognition-page.html.
Inc42 Startup Spotlight
Inc42 is an Indian tech and startup media and information platform with news, analysis and Datalabs company profiles. Startup Spotlight is a selective editorial submission: India HQ (or most of the team in India), a working MVP, and revenue or revenue within 60 days.
Link on a profile: Company profiles link out with nofollow
Checked 2 Nov 2026 on inc42.com/, inc42.com/startup-submission/, tally.so/r/w2poXD, inc42.com/datalabs/, inc42.com/company/battery-smart/.
Global launch boards that work well from India
These take products from anywhere. Prices are as each site states them, usually in US dollars. Many run on a daily or weekly clock set in US time, so check when a launch day starts in IST before you schedule.
| Directory | Type | Best for | Cost | Link type | Account needed? | Last checked | Submission |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IndieNeed | Launch board | A product page that stays up after launch day | Free + paid ($15-$120, one-time) | Free listings are nofollow. Any paid plan ($15-$120, one-time) includes a dofollow link, and a free listing can add one for $3, one-time. A followed link is not a promise of a higher ranking. | Yes | Open submit form | |
| Findly.tools | Catalog | SaaS and tools wanting a badge-backed dofollow listing | Free with badge; Premium $29 one-time | Free: one dofollow link while the Findly.tools badge stays on your site. Premium ($29): four dofollow links, no badge | Yes | Open submit form | |
| Uneed | Launch board | SaaS, AI, and productivity tools | Free (join the line) + paid ($14.99 Fast-track) | Do-follow at an upvote score of 20; guaranteed with Skip the line | Not checked | Open submit form | |
| DevHunt | Launch board | Developer tools and open-source launches | Free listing; launch $19 one-time ($49 boosted) | Free listing: nofollow. $19 launch: dofollow | Not checked | Open submit form | |
| Launching Next | Launch board | Startups and side projects wanting a free listing | Free; optional $99 upgrade for consideration within 1 business day | Nofollow | Not checked | Open submit form | |
| ScrollLaunch | Launch board | Indie makers wanting a weekly board slot | Free Launch $0 forever; Premium $39 per product (one-time) | Free: dofollow only while the ScrollLaunch badge stays on your site, otherwise nofollow ugc. Premium ($39): always dofollow | Yes | Open submit form | |
| Show HN (Hacker News) | Community | Makers with a working product people can try | Not checked | Nofollow on new posts; a 100-point post's link had no nofollow. HN does not state the threshold | Yes | Open submit form |
IndieNeed accepts rupee payments: checkout runs on Dodo Payments and lets you pay in your local currency, including INR. Base prices are in US dollars, and checkout shows the final amount and any tax. We run IndieNeed.
What to prepare
Directories ask for the usual kit: a tagline, a short description, a logo and screenshots. Indian programs also ask for entity details. For DPIIT recognition, Startup India's form asks for:
- Company Incorporation Number (CIN), entity name, incorporation or registration date and PAN
- The incorporation or registration certificate (Ministry of Corporate Affairs or Registrar of Firms), as a PDF or image
- Director or partner details, with DIN or DPIN
- An authorisation letter on your company letterhead
- Links that support the application: website, video or pitch deck
GST: none of the directories we checked states that a GSTIN is required to list. Keep your GSTIN and, once recognised, your DPIIT certificate number at hand for any program or marketplace that asks for them.
FAQ
What are the best startup directories in India in 2026?
For Indian buyers and press: SoftwareSuggest, Techjockey, YourStory Company Listing and Tracxn. For government recognition: Startup India (DPIIT), which is free. For editorial coverage: Inc42 Startup Spotlight. Global launch boards accept Indian startups too: IndieNeed, Findly.tools, Uneed, DevHunt, Launching Next, ScrollLaunch and Show HN (Hacker News). Last checked 2 Nov 2026.
Is DPIIT recognition free?
Yes. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry "does not charge any fee" for the DPIIT Certificate of Recognition. Recognition is available through the National Single Window System (nsws.gov.in): create an account, add the "Registration as a Startup" approval, then fill in and submit it.
Who can get DPIIT startup recognition?
A Private Limited Company, Partnership Firm, LLP or Cooperative Society (not a sole proprietorship), with turnover under INR 200 crore (300 crore for DeepTech) and up to 10 years from incorporation (20 for DeepTech).
Do I need a GSTIN to list on Indian startup directories?
None of the directories we checked states that a GSTIN is required to list. Techjockey shows buyer prices both excluding and including GST.
Can Indian startups list on Product Hunt and other global launch boards?
Yes. Global launch boards take products from anywhere. Many run on a daily or weekly clock set in US time, so check when a launch day starts in IST before you schedule.
Can I pay for IndieNeed in rupees?
Yes. IndieNeed accepts rupee payments: checkout runs on Dodo Payments and lets you pay in your local currency, including INR. Base prices are in US dollars, and checkout shows the final amount and any tax.