Discover Startups vs Startbase

Discover Startups is a vetted directory and matchmaking platform for early-stage, product-based founders. Its free Directory gives startups a profile, visibility to investors, media, buyers and partners, and watchlist notifications. Investors, journalists, retail buyers and brand partners can search using filters such as stage, sector and location, then contact founders directly through their inbox without per-introduction fees. Submissions are reviewed to check that a startup is real, its founder can be reached and its data is honest; revenue and stage are not acceptance gates. The paid Matchmaker plan adds AI-powered matching across press, retail, investor and event opportunities, with curated options founders can pursue or pass on. Founders can edit profiles, pause matching for audiences and add audiences they want to reach. Matchmaker also includes a founder-only WhatsApp community, events and webinars. It is an invite-only beta: applications are reviewed by hand, invitations arrive in small batches, and billing starts only after an invitation. Matchmaker costs £49.99 a month once invited. Service businesses are not accepted.

Startbase has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.