Looking for the next breakout company in your industry—but tired of wading through endless lists of “promising” startups that never seem to go anywhere? You’re not alone. Whether you’re an investor, job seeker, partner, or just someone who wants to keep their finger on the pulse, knowing how to actually find real high-growth startups in your space is valuable. The trouble is, most people waste hours poking around databases and news sites, only to end up with a list that’s either too broad, too dated, or just plain wrong.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to cut through the noise and use Crunchbase search to zero in on startups that are actually growing fast—without getting sucked into hype cycles or vanity metrics.
1. Know What “High Growth” Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)
Before you open Crunchbase, let’s get clear on what you’re looking for. “High growth” gets thrown around a lot, but it isn’t just about who raised the most money last week.
What matters: - Revenue growth (if you can get it) - Recent, significant funding rounds (especially if from reputable investors) - Headcount growth (hiring sprees can be a real sign of momentum) - Market traction (big partnerships, user growth, or new geographies)
What doesn’t matter as much: - Press mentions alone (startups can buy PR) - Vanity metrics (downloads, “registered users” without revenue) - Overhyped “stealth” mode companies (these are usually a black box)
Real talk: Crunchbase is strongest on funding and headcount data. Revenue and user numbers are only sometimes available, so don’t make them your main filter.
2. Get Your Crunchbase Account Set Up
You can do a lot with a free Crunchbase account, but some features (like advanced search filters) are gated behind a paid plan. If you’re serious about finding high-growth startups, it might be worth trying a trial of Crunchbase Pro.
- Free account: Basic search, see some funding rounds, basic profiles.
- Crunchbase Pro: Advanced filters (industry, location, funding, headcount change), custom lists, exports.
Pro tip: If you’re just dabbling, start with the free version. If you need to build repeatable lists or track trends, bite the bullet for a month of Pro.
3. Define Your Industry and Geographic Focus
You’ll save yourself a lot of time by being specific about what industry and region you care about.
- Industry: Use Crunchbase’s built-in categories (e.g., “Fintech”), but don’t be afraid to try related ones (“Payments”, “Blockchain”, etc.). Overlap is common.
- Geography: City, state, country, or even continent. Startups are global, but local trends can matter a lot.
Don’t get too narrow right away. Start broader, then tighten your filters as you go. You might find that the most exciting companies aren’t in the exact category you expected.
4. Use Crunchbase Search to Build a Targeted Startup List
Here’s where you actually get your hands dirty.
4.1. Start a New Companies Search
- Go to the “Companies” section in Crunchbase.
- Click on “Advanced Search” (Pro users get more options).
4.2. Set Your Filters
Key filters to use: - Industry: Pick your main sector(s). - Location: City, state, country. - Last Funding Date: Look for companies that raised in the last 6–24 months. Too recent = posturing; too old = possibly stalled. - Funding Stage: Seed, Series A, B, C. Early-stage is riskier but can be higher upside; Series B/C+ often shows real traction. - Headcount: Set a minimum (e.g., 10–20 employees) so you skip hobby projects, but don’t go so high you miss scrappy up-and-comers. - Employee Growth (Pro only): Filter for companies with headcount growth in the last 6–12 months. This is a very strong signal.
Filters to skip or treat with caution: - “Total Funding Amount”: Big numbers can mean big burn, not big success. - “Founded Date”: Useful if you want only newer companies, but some “older” startups can hit their growth stride later. - “Number of Acquisitions”: Not that useful for high-growth startups—more for big incumbents.
5. Spot the Real Signals of Growth
Now you’ve got a list, but it’s probably still too long. Time to dig deeper.
5.1. Funding Rounds—But Look Past the Hype
- Who invested? Top-tier VCs (think Sequoia, Accel, Andreessen) give a real signal, but don’t ignore strong “lesser-known” funds with a great track record.
- How much? Big rounds can be impressive, but lots of “mega rounds” are about optics. Growth is about what they do with the money, not just how much they raise.
- Funding frequency: Multiple rounds in quick succession can show traction—or just a company burning too hot.
5.2. Headcount Growth—Quietly Powerful
- If a company’s employee count doubled in the last year, something’s happening.
- Check LinkedIn (from the Crunchbase profile) to see hiring activity and recent job posts.
5.3. Product and Market Moves
- Look for news of product launches, big partnerships, or expansion into new markets. These updates usually show up in the “News” tab on the profile.
- Ignore fluff announcements (“We’re thrilled to announce our new logo!”).
6. Filter Out the Pretenders
A company raising money doesn’t mean it’s growing. Here’s how to separate the wheat from the chaff:
- Revenue (if shown): Take any self-reported numbers with a grain of salt, but do compare to peers.
- Active jobs: Are they actually hiring, or just left old job posts up? Check their careers page and LinkedIn.
- Repeat founders: Teams with a track record of exits or real operating experience are more likely to scale, though not a guarantee.
- Real customers: Look for case studies, logos, or named clients. “Stealth” customers or vague claims (“trusted by Fortune 500s”) mean nothing.
Pro tip: If a startup profile looks like it hasn’t been updated in a long time, that’s a red flag. High-growth companies usually keep these pages fresh—if only because they want to attract investors and talent.
7. Build and Track Your High-Growth List
You’ve zeroed in on a handful of promising startups. Now what?
- Save your search in Crunchbase (Pro feature) or export the list to a spreadsheet.
- Set up alerts for funding rounds, news, or headcount changes (Pro).
- Check back monthly—high-growth is about momentum, not just a snapshot. Companies can rocket up or flame out fast.
8. What to Ignore (and Why)
Don’t let yourself get distracted by:
- Stealth startups: If there’s no info, you’re just guessing.
- Generic press releases: “World’s most innovative AI-powered solution” tells you nothing.
- Outdated metrics: User counts or funding info from 2019 = ancient history in startup land.
- “Hot lists” from clickbait blogs: They’re often paid placements or popularity contests.
9. Alternative Data Sources (If You Want to Go Deeper)
Crunchbase is strong, but not perfect. If you want to cross-check:
- LinkedIn: Headcount growth, recent hires, and team pedigree.
- PitchBook, CB Insights: Similar databases, sometimes with different data (but usually pricier).
- AngelList: Good for very early stage, but data is spotty.
- Company websites: For product updates and real customer signals.
Don’t get stuck in analysis paralysis. Use these only if you’re seriously considering investing, partnering, or joining.
Keep It Simple—And Iterate
Finding real high-growth startups isn’t rocket science, but it’s not just sorting by “who raised the most money,” either. Start with clear criteria, use Crunchbase filters smartly, and keep your eyes peeled for the real signals of traction—not just noise. Check in regularly, ignore the hype, and refine your process as you go. The best lists are built with a mix of data, common sense, and a healthy bit of skepticism. Good luck.