Startup programs, managed 

 Create a great experience for your community of applicants and evaluators 

Award Force awards badges; grid leader, best results, best relationship, most implementable and best usability from G2, best customer support and most recommended from Software Advice, GetApp 4.8 user review and 4.8 stars from Capterra

Startup program application software

Built for incubators, accelerators, VC and funding programs, Award Force unifies startup applications, multi-stage evaluation and cohort selection in one secure, country-localised platform for structured decision-making at scale.

Popular features for startup program application

Application and evaluation dashboards Exports and real-time reporting
Multi-stage startup evaluation workflows Notifications / broadcast communications
Structured founder application form Role-based access and permissions 

Structured evaluation

Support defensible startup selection with configurable scoring frameworks, recommendation controls and multi-stage review workflows designed for consistent decision-making at scale.

Visibility and control

Maintain visibility across applications, reviewers and selection stages with real-time reporting, auditability and role-based access controls.
.

Increase participation

Increase application volume without overwhelming your team through structured workflows, automation, optional AI tools and streamlined evaluator experiences.

Reduce administrative overhead

Save time with configurable workflows, bulk actions, automated communications, integrations and exports that reduce manual coordination effort.

Operate with confidence

Run local or global startup programs with strong privacy, governance and security controls, multilingual support, flexible data residency options and no seat-based pricing.

Build investor-ready credibility

Deliver a professional founder and evaluator experience that reflects the discipline, transparency and rigour expected from modern startup and funding programs.

Award Force
for startup programs:

  • Incubator program intake
  • Accelerator program intake
  • Venture capital pitching
  • Pitch competitions
  • Hackathons
  • Funding program applications
  • Research funding applications
  • Innovation challenges
  • Startup prizes

Trusted by world leading organisations to recognise excellence

Awards management clients

Startup application management features

Keep applications, reviewers and selection stages organised from intake through to final cohort selection.

Monitor application progress, reviewer activity and program outcomes in real time with flexible workflows, structured evaluation stages and reporting tools designed for high-volume startup programs.

Award Force reduces manual coordination for program teams while helping evaluators review applications consistently and efficiently.

Awards management software fellowship

You’re in control

  • Make system configuration changes directly
  • Easily themed to suit your brand
  • Structure scoring frameworks and reviewer workflows
  • Manage applications, evaluations and cohort selection
  • Filtered reporting, exports and audit visibility
  • Track reviewer activity and program progress in real time
  • Integration marketplace, API and webhooks
  • Full database of all users
  • Optional AI tools to support reviewer capacity
  • Support when you need it

See feature list for more details.

One of the standout features of Award Force is its comprehensive and user-friendly interface. It enables us to monitor the progress of applications seamlessly, right from their creation to the moment of submission.”

Jack So, National University of Singapore Graduate Research Innovation Programme
Read the full case study

Features for the application process

Award Force provides an intuitive environment for applicants to create and submit their incubator, accelerator or funding application quickly.

With Award Force your applicants have freedom to edit and refine their application right up until your deadline, even after submission.

An automated email from Award Force inviting an entrant to collaborate on an entry.

Easy for the applicant

  • Easy, fast registration
  • Auto-save functionality so work is never lost
  • Application collaboration for startup teams
  • Changes after submission possible
  • Intuitive application process
  • Easy application into multiple program categories
  • Preview application, download PDF record
  • Support for pitch decks, video and file uploads

Powerful for you

Features to support structured startup selection at scale

  • Application form aligned to your program structure and evaluation criteria
  • Track application volume and completion status in real time
  • Broadcast communications and notifications for applicants and evaluators
  • Flexible configuration of program categories and criteria
  • Multi-stage assessment workflows for screening, panel review and cohort selection
  • Support for large file uploads including pitch decks and supporting documents

See feature list for more details.

Evaluation features for startup application programs

Evaluator’s view

  • Evaluators only see applications assigned to them
  • Easy to use; no training required for your team of evaluators 
  • Each application is all on one clear page; no clicking back and forth
  • Options to score, comment and recommend applicants
  • Recommendation-based judging for structured cohort selection
  • Tablet-enabled evaluation for pitch days and live panels
  • Slideshow view for group evaluation of visual material

Your view

  • Configurable multi-stage evaluation workflows and review panels
  • Role-based access controls and confidentiality agreements
  • Scoring audit matrix for transparent and defensible outcomes
  • Real-time leaderboards with scores, comments and recommendations
  • Easy communication with evaluators, mentors and panel members
  • Manage shortlists, cohort selection and final outcomes in one place

See judging suite feature list for more details.

Award Force supports structured startup evaluation at scale, helping your team review applications consistently, transparently and efficiently.

Configure multi-stage evaluation workflows for screening, panel review, interviews, cohort selection and final outcomes. Flexible scoring frameworks, recommendation-based judging and configurable criteria weighting help evaluators identify the strongest founders and ideas with confidence.

Running live pitch events or demo days? Award Force is tablet-enabled so evaluators can access startup applications, score founders and submit feedback in real time.

Award Force platform showing a judge adjudicating an entry using recommendation judging criteria

Save time, boost productivity. Award excellence.