Question 1

What is ProductCrown?

Accepted Answer

ProductCrown is an annual technology awards program. The 50 categories are distributed across four focused quarterly review windows - Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall - so the team and jury can evaluate every submission in depth rather than skimming a once-a-year flood.

Question 2

Why review in quarterly windows instead of once a year?

Accepted Answer

Because doing a single yearly awards across 50 categories means the jury skims. We refuse to do that. Reviewing one focused set of categories per quarter is the only way every entry gets a real, attentive read.

Question 3

Who can enter?

Accepted Answer

Any company, team, or individual building technology products, services, or campaigns. Startups, scale-ups, enterprises, agencies, and indie builders are all eligible.

Question 4

What can be submitted?

Accepted Answer

Shipping products, recently launched products, services, agency client work, design work, marketing campaigns, and teams - depending on the category. Each category page details what fits.

Question 5

Why are submissions paid?

Accepted Answer

The entry fee is symbolic, not commercial. It exists for two reasons. First, it filters out non-serious submissions - companies that aren't actually ready for an awards review don't pay $99 to be told that. Second, it guarantees that every paid entry receives a thorough, attentive review from the ProductCrown team and from the jury against the published criteria. The fee buys depth of review. Nothing more.

Question 6

Does paying guarantee an award?

Accepted Answer

No. Categorically no. The fee buys eligibility check and full review - it does not buy a finalist slot, a winner slot, or any specific award level. The jury decides finalists and winners independently against the published criteria. Many paid entries are not selected. We are strict on this and we publish the percentage of entries that win in each category at the end of the season.

Question 7

Are entry fees refundable?

Accepted Answer

No, except in cases of platform error (e.g. duplicate charges). Once review begins the fee is consumed by the work done.

Question 8

Why not free?

Accepted Answer

Because free attracts noise. The signal-to-noise ratio in tech awards is already terrible. A symbolic fee is the cheapest, least-disruptive way to ensure the jury reads quality work, not promotional fluff.

Question 9

Is there a startup or indie discount?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The startup/indie pricing tier is meaningfully lower (currently $69 early-bird). It's intended for early-stage companies and independent builders who are shipping real work but operating on tight budgets.

Question 10

Can one product enter multiple categories?

Accepted Answer

Yes - within the same active review window (season). Each additional category is charged at the additional-category rate. You can enter multiple categories on a single submission, but they must all belong to the currently open season.

Question 11

Do additional categories cost extra?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each additional category is charged at the additional-category rate (currently $59). The math is intentionally simple: first category at the entry-tier rate, additional categories at the additional-category rate.

Question 12

What happens after I pay?

Accepted Answer

Your submission moves to under-review. The ProductCrown team confirms eligibility and prepares the submission for the jury. You will receive a payment confirmation by email and a status update when the review begins.

Question 13

Can I edit my submission after paying?

Accepted Answer

Not directly - once paid, submissions are locked to ensure jury review consistency. If the team requests additional information during review, the submission status will change to 'needs information' and you'll be able to update it then.

Question 14

Can agencies submit client work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the client's permission. The submission should credit both the agency and the client. Confidential client context can be included as 'confidential notes' which the jury sees but which is not published.

Question 15

Can confidential products enter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There's a confidential notes field on every submission for jury-only context that will not be published if the submission becomes a public winner or finalist.

Question 16

How are winners selected?

Accepted Answer

An independent jury reviews each finalist against the published criteria for the category. We use manual review - no algorithmic scoring, no popularity vote, no public voting. The jury for each season is announced before review begins.

Question 17

When are finalists announced?

Accepted Answer

Each season has a published finalist-announcement date. See the relevant season page for exact dates.

Question 18

When are winners announced?

Accepted Answer

Each season ends with an online winner reveal. Winner pages are published shortly after the reveal event.

Question 19

Will winners receive badges?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Finalists and winners receive downloadable badges and a public award page for use in marketing materials. Misuse of badges (e.g. claiming a level not awarded) is prohibited and grounds for revocation.

Question 20

Is there a physical event?

Accepted Answer

No. The reveal is an online streamed show. Replay is available afterward on the season's event page.

Frequently asked.

Read this first.

About the program

Why submissions are paid

Submission process

Awards & judging