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Submit your tool to Inc42

Inc42 is an Indian startup news and data site. Indian tech startups can apply for a Startup Spotlight feature through a form, or email the editors with news or a guest column.

Go to the submit page Dofollow link Free editorial pick, India-based startups only

Is Inc42 worth it?

Worth applying only if the startup is based in India or has most of its team there. The Startup Spotlight is an editorial pick with no fee stated, and the site says only 1 in 20+ applicants get in. Links inside the articles checked had no rel attribute, so a feature gives a followed link from a large Indian news site. Apply once there is a working product and revenue or clear traction, and send real numbers. Paid branded content runs through Inc42 BrandLabs.

Who should submit to Inc42?

Suits Indian SaaS, AI and consumer tech startups that want reach among Indian founders, investors and operators. The form asks for an India headquarters, or 60 to 70 percent of the workforce in India, plus an MVP, revenue or revenue within 60 days, and no parent company. Not a fit for makers outside India, side projects, or tools with no traction yet.

What you need before you submit

  • Headquartered in India, or 60 to 70 percent of the team in India
  • Technology company or a business built on digital platforms
  • Independent, not a subsidiary
  • A working product (MVP or later)
  • Revenue now, or expected within 60 days
  • Signs of traction

How to submit to Inc42

  1. Open the Get Featured page at inc42.com/startup-submission
  2. Click Submit Your Startup to open the Startup Spotlight form
  3. Fill in the company, product, traction and founder details
  4. Wait for the editorial team to get in touch if selected
  5. For news or a guest column, email the editor address listed on the contact page

Inc42: pros and cons

Pros

  • Followed links inside editorial articles
  • Large Indian startup audience
  • No fee stated for the Spotlight
  • Monthly startups to watch roundups also link to company sites

Cons

  • Only for India-based startups
  • Highly selective, the site says 1 in 20+ get in
  • No stated review time
  • Company database pages use nofollow links

Tips for Inc42

  • Lead with revenue, users or growth numbers, not features
  • Explain the problem in an Indian market context
  • Pitch a funding round or a launch as news via the editor email
  • Keep founder photos and a short company description ready

Questions about Inc42

How much does it cost to list a tool on Inc42?
Listing a tool on Inc42 is free editorial pick, India-based startups only.
Does Inc42 give a dofollow link?
Yes. A listing on Inc42 links to your site with a dofollow link.
Does Inc42 ask for a backlink or a badge?
No. It lists a tool without asking for a badge or a link back.
How long does Inc42 take to list a tool?
Not stated; editorial selection.
Is the link from Inc42 dofollow?
Links to startup websites inside editorial articles had no rel attribute when checked in November 2026, so they are followed. Inc42 company database pages use rel external nofollow.
How much does it cost to get featured?
The Startup Spotlight form states no fee; selection is editorial. Paid branded content is sold separately through Inc42 BrandLabs.
Can a startup outside India apply?
The form asks for an India headquarters, or 60 to 70 percent of the workforce based in India. Startups without that are unlikely to be featured.
How long does review take?
The site does not state a review time. It says only 1 in 20+ startups make it into the Startup Spotlight.

Facts checked . DR: Domain Rating by Ahrefs, checked . DR 4 is Ahrefs' new model, shown on ahrefs.com from 1 December 2026. DR changes; check a place before you pay for it.

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