How do I claim my startup's listing?
Take ownership of your company's listing and earn the Verified badge by proving you control its domain.
Updated
Claiming your listing
When you find your startup on Startup Launched, you can claim it as its owner. Open the listing page and select "Claim", or visit /claim/<listing> directly. You will then need to prove that you control your company's domain.
Proving domain ownership
We offer four ways to verify. Choose whichever suits your setup:
- Email verification: we send a secret link to an address at your company's domain. Click the link to confirm.
- DNS method: add a TXT record to your root domain.
- Homepage method: add a meta tag to your website's home page.
- File method: upload a small verification file to your website.
Your verification code will expire after 14 days. If it has expired, you can start the process again.
What the Verified badge means
Once verified, you become the owner of the listing (if it was previously unclaimed) and can edit its details. The Verified badge shows that you control the domain. This badge is never sold; it exists entirely separate from paid placements and votes on the site. It is simply proof of ownership.
Questions people ask
- Can I claim a listing that already has an owner?
- No. You can only claim a listing that is unclaimed. If another founder owns it, you cannot take it over.
- What happens if my verification code expires?
- You can start the claiming process again and request a fresh code.
- Does the Verified badge affect my ranking or votes?
- No. The badge proves you own the domain, but it is separate from any votes or paid features on the site.