Launching Next

About

Launching Next is a curated startup directory and discovery platform dedicated to showcasing the newest tech startups, side projects, and innovative business ideas. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Chicago, IL, Launching Next has established itself as a premier destination for early-stage founders, early adopters, and investors.

Unlike automated aggregators, Launching Next uses human curation to ensure quality and relevance. The platform serves two distinct audiences: founders looking for a launchpad to gain initial users, gather feedback, and secure high-authority SEO backlinks, and early adopters and investors seeking a curated daily feed of new tools, SaaS, AI, and mobile apps before they go mainstream.

Launching Next is widely considered a must-post destination on any startup's distribution checklist, sitting alongside Product Hunt and BetaList as a core pillar of the indie hacker and startup ecosystem. The platform has been recognized by The Next Web, which described it as an impressive platform that features the most promising startups on a daily basis.

What Launching Next Does

Launching Next functions as a comprehensive startup marketing engine and discovery platform.

Primary Discovery Services:

• Startup Directory: A searchable and browsable database of over 45,000 curated startups.
• Daily Newsletter: A digest of the hottest daily launches sent to 18,000+ subscribers.
• Trending Lists: Real-time ranking of projects based on user interest and engagement.
• Newsroom & Press Kit Tools: Resources to create journalist-ready press kits for media coverage.

For Startup Founders:

• Submit your startup for inclusion in the directory.
• Gain exposure to a curated audience of early adopters, investors, and tech enthusiasts.
• Receive a dofollow backlink from a platform with a DR 51+ domain rating (sourced via Ahrefs).
• Benefit from the platform's longevity and credibility, which carries trust and authority.
• Access educational content and resources on launch strategy and startup promotion.

For Early Adopters and Investors:

• Browse thousands of early-stage startups across multiple categories.
• Discover new tools, apps, and business ideas before they go mainstream.
• Explore startups by category, trending status, and launch date.
• Stay informed about emerging trends and innovations in the tech space.

Paid Marketing and Growth Services: For founders who cannot wait for the standard queue, Launching Next offers Express Approval starting at $149 one-time:

• Speed: Review and publishing within 1 business day.
• Distribution: Immediate feature in the daily newsletter and a social media blast to 25,000+ followers.
• Guarantee: Full refund if the submission is not accepted.

Key Facts

Metric	Value
Founded	2013
Featured Startups	45,000+
Domain Rating (DR)	51+
Monthly Traffic	~14,000 – 30,000 visits
Social Followers	25,000+
Newsletter Subscribers	18,000+
Submission Cost	Free (standard)
Review Time (Free)	Approximately 3 months
Review Time (Paid)	Within 1 business day
Link Attribute	Dofollow

Why Launching Next Matters

For startup founders, AI tool creators, indie makers, and entrepreneurs, Launching Next offers several distinct advantages.

High-Authority Dofollow Backlink: Launching Next provides a dofollow backlink from a platform with a DR 51+ domain rating. This is particularly valuable for new domains or websites with low authority scores. Google crawls Launching Next often, so the link helps with indexing and early ranking potential. A single dofollow link from a high-authority startup directory can help your homepage start ranking for your brand name and primary product keywords within weeks.

Free Submission with Long-Term Visibility: The standard submission is completely free, making it accessible for bootstrapped startups, indie makers, and solo founders with limited marketing budgets. Once approved, your listing gets a permanent spot in the directory, providing ongoing visibility and SEO value.

Curated Quality and Credibility: Unlike automated directories that accept every submission, Launching Next uses human curation to ensure only the highest quality startups get published. This selective process maintains the platform's reputation and benefits all listed startups by association. Being featured alongside other vetted projects signals trust to potential users and investors.

Targeted Niche Audience: Launching Next attracts a niche-specific audience of startup enthusiasts, solo makers, developers, and marketers looking for tools, inspiration, or new products to try out. The majority of its traffic comes from the United States, followed by India, Canada, and Germany. This targeted audience means your listing is seen by people who actually care about new startups and are more likely to engage with your product.

Proven Track Record: Launching Next has featured over 45,000 startups, including early-stage coverage of now-major tech companies. Success stories include Rakuten (used Launching Next to increase developer adoption of new APIs), Hotjar (drove critical initial sign-ups for their pre-launch beta program), and PupSocks (secured the company's first e-commerce orders directly from the feature). One creativity training startup achieved a 7.8% freemium-to-paid conversion rate via Launching Next traffic, which was 2x higher than their average across other marketing channels.

Educational Resources: Beyond the directory, Launching Next offers a blog with guides on where to promote startups and how to prepare for a launch, as well as curated lists of tools for founders. These resources help founders navigate the complex world of startup marketing and distribution.

Paid Fast-Track Option: For founders who need immediate visibility, the Express Approval service provides review and publishing within 1 business day, immediate feature in the daily newsletter, and a social media blast to over 25,000 followers. This is a cost-effective alternative to expensive PR campaigns.

Who Uses Launching Next

• Solo founders and indie hackers who need a few solid backlinks to start with.
• Bootstrapped SaaS products that can't afford expensive PR or marketing campaigns.
• AI tool creators and developers launching new AI products, APIs, and developer tools.
• Side project creators testing out MVPs and seeking initial traction.
• Early-stage startups across categories including mobile apps, SaaS tools, AI products, developer tools, edtech, fintech, and productivity software.
• Early adopters, investors, and tech enthusiasts scouting for promising new ventures and innovative ideas.
• Anyone looking to discover new tools, apps, and business ideas before they go mainstream.

How to Get Listed (Submit Your Startup)

Submitting your startup to Launching Next is free and straightforward, though the standard review queue requires patience.

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials Before submitting, gather the following information about your startup:

• Product name
• Website URL
• Clear product description highlighting what makes your startup unique
• High-quality screenshots or images
• Founder story or background information
• Relevant category selection

Step 2: Create an Account Go to the Launching Next website at https://www.launchingnext.com and sign up for a free account. Complete your profile with accurate information.

Step 3: Submit Your Startup Navigate to the submission form (look for Submit or Add Listing button). Fill out the form with your product details, description, and any required assets like screenshots or logos. Follow their submission guidelines carefully for the best chance of approval.

Step 4: Await Review Launching Next manually reviews each submission to ensure only the highest quality startups get published. The standard free review queue typically takes approximately 3 months due to high submission volumes.

Step 5: Engage with the Community Once your listing is live, be active on the platform. Respond to comments, support other founders, and share updates and milestones with the community. Engagement can help your listing gain additional visibility.

Express Approval (Paid): If you cannot wait for the standard queue, Launching Next offers Express Approval starting at $149 one-time:

• Review and publishing within 1 business day
• Immediate feature in the daily newsletter
• Social media blast to 25,000+ followers
• Full refund if the submission is not accepted