Our selection process

Why a founder is worth watching

MoneyMakers recognises founders whose work and business progress merit attention. This is a rolling editorial selection, with no fixed list size or numerical ranking.

Evidence and editorial judgement

Published MoneyMakers stories and their linked company and people profiles provide nominations. An administrator verifies founder or co-founder status, reviews the supporting material, selects one appropriate category and approves a specific explanation of why the person was selected. A CEO title alone does not establish founder status.

Review considers product differentiation, documented progress, the founder’s contribution and reasons to follow the business. Evidence is considered in the context of the company’s sector and stage. Funding alone does not determine selection. Supplied statements remain distinct from independently supported facts.

AI may prepare a private draft from the published material. An editor reviews the proposed category, explanation and source excerpts before making the decision. AI does not grant recognition. Published recognitions show their selection dates and supporting sources.

Independent of purchases

Buying a story, subscription or other MoneyMakers service does not purchase recognition. Selection requires a separate editorial decision. Recipients do not need to claim a profile, pay, or share a badge. Recognition is not an investment recommendation or a guarantee of future performance.

Categories and geography

Each review can select one sector award, one geographic award, or both. A geographic award is either a country or the broader European category. Each selection needs its own supporting evidence. The editor chooses which award leads on the profile; a single award is primary automatically. Software focuses on software products; using software or AI internally does not by itself qualify a founder for those categories.

Country awards cover individual European countries, including Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico and the United States. European is a regional category and is not limited to EU members. American refers specifically to the United States; Canada and Mexico use Canadian and Mexican. Each country has its own selection page and award title.

Geographic eligibility uses the recognised business’s principal operating base at selection. The reviewed evidence must support that location. Nationality, birthplace, an investor’s location, or a registered or contact address alone does not establish eligibility.

Rolling selections and permanent years

Selections published from January through May carry the current year. From June 1, new selections carry the following year, using Europe/Oslo time. Existing recognitions retain their original year. A further recognition requires a fresh review and is never renewed automatically.

Corrections

MoneyMakers may correct or revoke a recognition when evidence warrants it. Profile privacy and withdrawal controls still apply. For corrections or questions, contact MoneyMakers.