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.

I organise a startup pitching competition and use AF for startups to register and judges to evaluate. It makes my work easier and allows me to save lots of time. The customer support team is always available and happy to help, the training was very clear.”

Anne Perego

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.

Awards management software fellowship

Easy for the applicant

  • Easy, fast registration
  • Auto-save functionality so work is never lost
  • Changes after submission possible
  • Intuitive application process
  • Easy application into multiple program categories
  • Preview application, download PDF record
  • Award-winning system design

Powerful for you

Features to deliver the outcomes you need

  • Unlimited applications
  • Track volume and completion status
  • Easy notification and broadcast communication with applicants
  • Flexible configuration of program categories and criteria
  • Configurable assessment workflow
  • Accept any file attachments, unlimited size

See feature list for more details.

Evaluation features for startup application programs

Award Force has a powerful suite of evaluation tools that you can configure to suit your unique evaluation process, so your team makes good decisions.

With four different judging modes, the ability to configure multiple sequential or parallel evaluation stages, and options such as criteria weighting— the Award Force judging suite gives you ultimate control to configure your evaluation process quickly and easily.

Independent evaluators are highly valued contributors to startup programs. We help you be considerate of their time by providing a clear, easy-to-use way of reviewing, evaluating applications and leaving input.

In-person evaluation? Award Force is tablet-enabled so your evaluators can easily access application information and evaluate on the spot. Ideal for events like pitch competitions and hackathons!

Awards management software top pick judging

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 share scores and comments
  • Easy to track evaluation status
  • Tablet-enabled evaluation is great for in-person evaluation panels
  • Slideshow view for group evaluation of visual material

Your view

  • Powerful configuration of evaluation process and panels
  • Built-in acceptance of confidentiality agreement for evaluators
  • Scoring audit matrix provides visibility and confidence in score breakdown
  • Real-time evaluation leaderboard with scores + comments
  • Visibility of evaluation progress
  • Easy communication with evaluators
  • Manage shortlist, through finalists to award of results

See judging suite 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

Save time, boost productivity. Award excellence.