Who should enter the ‘Startup of the Year’ category?

The ‘Startup of the Year’ category recognizes the most promising new entrants in the cloud computing landscape. This award celebrates early-stage companies that are challenging the status quo with disruptive technologies, fresh business models, or innovative solutions to long-standing cloud challenges..

Entries should showcase product innovation and differentiation, highlighting the “gap” in the current cloud market that the startup was created to fill. Whether it’s a new approach to serverless orchestration, a breakthrough in edge security, or an AI-driven FinOps tool, the submission should clearly articulate what makes the technology unique.

The category focuses on market traction and growth, where startups demonstrate their journey from a founding vision to a viable business with a growing customer base, successful pilot programs, or strategic partnerships.

In addition, submissions should highlight the startup’s scalability and vision, showing how the business is built to handle rapid growth and evolving industry demands. Judges will look for evidence of agility and resilience, rewarding founders who have successfully navigated the common pitfalls in early startup development, pivoted where necessary, and maintained a clear roadmap for future development.

Successful entries will provide clear evidence of potential for industry disruption, backed by metrics such as user acquisition rates, funding milestones (where applicable), or compelling testimonials from early adopters.

Startup team brainstorming ideas

Example Use Cases

Exceptional cloud startups may demonstrate excellence or growth across one, or many, of these example areas:

product innovation problem solving

Introducing new technologies or platforms that redefine how organizations build, deploy, or manage digital services. Successful startups often bring novel approaches that challenge established industry models.

Typical use cases:

  • Development of new cloud-native platforms or services
  • Innovative use of AI, automation, or analytics within cloud environments
  • Creation of new infrastructure, development, or security tools
  • Open platform ecosystems enabling developer innovation

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Rapid adoption by early customers or developers
  • Clear differentiation from established solutions
  • Measurable improvements in performance, efficiency, or usability
  • Strong market validation for the technology

A startup team conducting value proposition canvases to articulate their startups value proposition

Reimagining how cloud services are delivered, priced, or consumed. Startups often challenge traditional models by introducing more accessible, scalable, or cost-effective approaches.

Typical examples:

  • Usage-based or consumption-driven pricing models
  • Platform-based ecosystems connecting users and services
  • Simplified service delivery through automation or abstraction
  • Cloud marketplaces or integrated service platforms

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Increased accessibility of cloud technology for new user segments
  • Rapid customer acquisition and growth
  • Reduced barriers to entry for organizations adopting cloud solutions
  • Demonstrated demand for new service models

Close-up of business professionals analyzing financial data and growth charts on a digital tablet during a meeting in a modern office

Achieving significant traction and expansion within a competitive market. Successful startups demonstrate strong growth, scalability, and a clear path toward long-term market leadership.

Typical examples:

  • Rapid customer acquisition across industries or regions
  • Scalable cloud platforms supporting business growth
  • Strategic partnerships and ecosystem development
  • Expansion into new markets or geographies

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Strong revenue or user growth within a short timeframe
  • Increasing market recognition and brand presence
  • Successful funding rounds or strategic partnerships
  • Demonstrated scalability of the business model

Man filling customer survey form on tablet computer

Delivering solutions that significantly improve user experience, productivity, or operational outcomes. Startups often succeed by addressing unmet needs with intuitive, flexible, and accessible platforms.

Typical examples:

  • Simplified cloud management or deployment tools
  • User-friendly analytics or automation platforms
  • Platforms designed for underserved market segments
  • Cloud-based services addressing specific operational challenges

Some examples of results from this application:

  • High levels of customer satisfaction and adoption
  • Improved productivity or efficiency for users
  • Strong customer retention and engagement
  • Positive feedback from early adopters or industry partners

business community meeting

Building vibrant communities around new cloud technologies. Many successful startups foster developer ecosystems, partner networks, or open innovation initiatives that accelerate adoption.

Typical use cases:

  • Developer platforms and open APIs
  • Partner ecosystems and integrations
  • Community-driven product development
  • Open-source initiatives supporting innovation

Some examples of results from this application:

  • Growing developer or partner communities
  • Increased platform adoption through integrations
  • Rapid innovation driven by ecosystem collaboration
  • Strong industry engagement and advocacy

Hall of Fame: Previous Winners

Planera Logo

Planera stood out as a start up with a clear product vision and a compelling approach to solving real operational challenges in the cloud era. The judges saw strong momentum, practical value, and an execution path that can scale. Its focus and differentiation made it the most promising entrant in this category. This made Planera a winner at The Cloud Awards.”

Lead Judge, Nitin Gupta

Most Promising Startup 2025/26, Planera
Enable Logo

Enable is revolutionizing B2B rebate management with its comprehensive, cloud-based platform that eliminates inefficiencies, enhances transparency, and streamlines the rebate lifecycle. By leveraging Microsoft Azure’s powerful infrastructure, Enable empowers businesses with real-time insights, seamless collaboration, and robust tools to drive data-driven decisions. The Cloud Awards proudly recognizes Enable as the ‘Most Promising Start-Up’ for their transformative approach to modernizing rebate management.”

Judge, Rakesh Datta

Most Promising Startup 2024/25, Enable
Coalesce Logo

We at The Cloud Awards were impressed to see how Coalesce fills a clear gap in today’s data stack, streamlining data transformations through automation and intelligence while supporting the needs of business and technical users. By eliminating the bottlenecks that have hindered data analytics, Coalesce allows companies to realize value from their data 10x faster. With an expanding global customer base and partnerships with key industry players like Snowflake, Coalesce is poised to accelerate growth even further in the years ahead.”

Lead Judge, Richard Geary

Most Promising Startup 2023/24, Coalesce

Areas to Highlight in Your Submission

Judges score nominations across these five key areas:

  • Innovation: The features or technology that makes your proposition unique - or transformed your market.

  • Impact: Evidence of the positive effect your approach has brought to your customers.

  • Scalability: How your innovation grows or adapts to changing business needs, without significant upgrades or overhauls.

  • User Experience: How intuitive your proposition is to use for users of varying roles or skill levels.

  • Relevance: What makes your innovation a worthy winner in this particular category.

Although not formally scored, focus on these areas specific to this category, can help your nomination stand out:

Strategy

Insight into the conception and execution of your growth strategy up to this point.

Potential

An indication of what's next for the organization, backed by current or recent successes.

Differentiation

How does your organization make itself stand out in a crowded market?

More Cloud Awards Categories

Next Steps to Enter The Cloud Awards

To enter this Cloud Awards category, or any other category in The Cloud Awards, please follow these three simple steps:

  • Download the entry form. Open up the ‘Cloud Awards Simple Form’ document.
  • Complete your form. You only need to complete the form once, even if entering multiple Cloud Awards categories.
  • Submit your entry. Head to the ‘Submit Now’ section on our website, select ‘The Cloud Awards’ and the category/categories you are entering from the list, upload your form and any other materials you would like the judges to review, and process your fees.

Since 2011, The Cloud Awards been helping organizations across the globe gain the recognition they deserve for market-leading innovation in the cloud computing and software sectors.

For a detailed breakdown of all the benefits you receive as an awards entrant as either a shortlistee, finalist or ultimate winner, please see our “Why Enter?” page. The many benefits are replicated across all international awards programs. If you have any questions about this category, please contact us.