Each year, startups head to New York City, where they work to connect the world and transform it with innovative new ideas. As NYC becomes home to more and more startups positioned to significantly impact the world, let’s take a look at the 10 most exciting Big Apple startups to watch in 2013:
1. Kaltura
Kaltura is paving the way for businesses, schools, and media companies to spread their messages, connect with audiences, and organize their operations with open-source, online video. The company offers a platform that essentially allows organizations to make their own internal YouTube. Businesses can use Kaltura’s innovative platform for internal communication purposes -- like sending out newsletters or new product demonstrations -- or for external marketing and promotions.
Founded in 2006, Kaltura has already won numerous awards for its innovative platform, including TechCrunch40 People’s Choice award, Mashable’s ‘Open Web’ award, and Microsoft’s 2009 ‘Most Promising Israeli Web Startup’ award. With a whopping $68.1 million in venture funding, Kaltura stands to significantly impact the future of communications within business, education and media consumption.
2. StartApp
Today, mobile app developers face a unique dilemma: customers just aren’t willing to pull out their credit cards to purchase apps. But NYC-based StartApp is paving the way for mobile app developers to monetize their Android applications more creatively. Founded in 2010, the company landed $4.3 million in venture funding to help developers profit from their mobile applications.
Here’s how it works: any time users download a mobile app integrated with StartApp’s technology, a new search icon appears on their home screen. When they use that new icon to generate a search, both the developer and StartApp receive a share of the profit. This technology is set to impact the way developers monetize their mobile creations for years to come.
Today’s entrepreneurs are leading the world in new ways, and the Young Entrepreneur Council is one organization that aims to bring their ideas together. The invite-only, membership organization is comprised of hundreds of America’s most promising entrepreneurs, helping them to connect with each other and share ideas.
NASDAQ and The White House have already formally honored the organization, helping to further its mission to retain today’s brightest entrepreneurs and learners by empowering them with the resources they need to succeed, helping them to grow their businesses faster, and create more jobs in the process.
4. GetTaxi
GetTaxi offers users simple tools for ordering taxis with their mobile devices. Without making a call, users can easily order a taxi, pay instantly, and watch their taxis on a GPS-enabled map in real time.
The company has raised a total of $10 million in venture funding, and the app has already gained a significant following in the U.S. and abroad. As more and more users turn to mobile devices to organize their daily lives, this app stands to significantly change the pace of public transportation in the years to come.
5. Pontiflex
Pontiflex has created “Signup Ads,” a simple way for mobile device users to opt-in for advertisements from brands they like. Users can sign up for ads without leaving the website or app they’re using, and advertisers only pay for signups and app installations.
With an impressive $16.5 million in venture funding, Pontiflex stands to significantly transform the way mobile app users glean information from their favorite brands.
6. Noodle
The education technology industry is booming, and this startup is helping students and their families to easily navigate today’s challenging educational landscape. The search engine is the first of its kind to focus specifically on aggregating information for students and families looking for information on anything from tutors to summer camps to master’s programs.
Founded by the creator of the Princeton Review, Noodle is creating an innovative platform that will help to manage the 3.7 billion educational searches conducted each month. Keep your eye on this startup as it paves the way to revolutionize the way we find educational information.
7. RecycleBank
Founded in 2004, Recyclebank is helping to drive the sustainability movement by rewarding those who take everyday green actions. The platform offers deals from more than 3,000 local and national businesses dedicated to rewarding users who recycle their household garbage, take steps to use energy efficiently, reduce water usage, or buy environmentally-friendly products.
The startup has raised $85.1 million in venture funding. This innovative new platform revolutionizes the green movement, making it easier than ever to participate in eco-friendly actions in our daily lives.
Launched in 2009, RentTheRunway hopes to democratize the eCommerce business by allowing anyone, anywhere to rent designer dresses, accessories, and jewelry at a fraction of the price. Prices range from $50-$400 for a four-day dress rental. The company sends users two sizes of the dress, and for an extra $25, users can purchase a “backup dress” in a different style.
The startup is gaining steam quickly, with many calling it “the Netflix for designer clothes.” With $50 million in venture funding, 170 brands, and more than 3 million members, the startup is already significantly impacting how men and women do fashion.
9. CafeMom
Founded in 2006, CafeMom is a social networking site targeted at mothers and mothers-to-be. The platform allows mothers to easily connect with one another to discuss all things pregnancy and motherhood.
The site receives more than 8 million unique visitors each month. It has raised a total of $17 million in venture funding, and is valued at over $150 million. Keep your eye on this startup as it continues to impact the way mothers keep in touch.
10. LocalVox
In today’s technological landscape, businesses often struggle to keep up a well-maintained Internet presence, across social media, websites, and other online platforms. LocalVox’s one-stop-shop solution allows small-to-medium-sized businesses to easily navigate what can often be an overwhelming marketing process.
The local online marketing industry is booming, with analysts predicting it to grow from $27.1 billion in 2011 to $42.5 billion in 2015. LocalVox recently raised $7.4 million in Series A funding for its comprehensive solution, money it will use to expand from New York to the top 20 markets nationwide.
With so many promising startups making their way in the Big Apple, 2013 stands to be a big year for innovative ideas that will change the way all of us -- not just New Yorkers -- live.