What is an underdog startup?
An underdog startup is a new company that few people know yet, usually built by one maker or a small team, with no accelerator or investors behind it. On ZeroCrew, these tools carry an Underdog badge so founders can find them early, while the maker still reads every message.
By Vlad Stan · · 3 min read
Why does ZeroCrew tag underdogs?
Most lists of AI tools favor the names you already know. A tool backed by a big fund gets press, ads, and search traffic on its first day, and AI assistants recommend the names they see most. A tool built by one maker on a weekend starts with none of that, even when it does the job better.
ZeroCrew is a network of founders who run their companies with AI agents, and many of them are makers themselves. The Underdog badge is how the directory says "this one is new and small, look at it anyway". It sits on the tool's page and in every list, next to the tool's name.
How does ZeroCrew pick an underdog?
For now, the ZeroCrew team gives the Underdog badge by hand, one tool at a time. Search numbers and funding data are still thin for brand-new tools, and a wrong badge helps nobody. A tool is a candidate when all three of these are true:
- It launched on ZeroCrew. It went live after the directory's starter list, so it shows on the Launchpad. The well-known tools ZeroCrew started with never get the badge.
- Nobody backs it that we know of. No Y Combinator batch, which ZeroCrew checks every week against the public list of YC companies, and no other accelerator or investor.
- Few people search for it yet. Under 1,000 Google searches a month in the US for its name, or not measured yet.
Once ZeroCrew has enough data to trust these checks, the badge may come from them automatically.
What does the badge mean for you as a founder?
- You get there early. Underdog tools change fast, and early users shape what they become.
- You can reach the maker. Small teams answer their own email. When the tool also shows the Member badge, its maker is in the ZeroCrew network.
- You take a small risk. A new tool can change its price or close. Try it on something that matters to you, but keep a way out.
What does the badge mean for you as a maker?
The Underdog badge can't be bought. The ZeroCrew team gives it to tools that fit the signals above. It tells founders your tool is new, independent, and worth a look. It doesn't promise you traffic or a place at the top of a list.
The badge is meant to be outgrown. When your tool passes 1,000 searches a month, or an accelerator or investor backs it, the badge comes off. That's the goal.
- Launch your toolSubmit your tool, or ask an Operator to launch it. It shows on the Launchpad in the week it goes live.
- Claim itIf your tool is already listed, claim it with X. Your tool then shows the Member badge next to Underdog.
- Grow out of itAsk the founders who use your tool to review it on ZeroCrew, and answer every review. That's how an underdog becomes a name people know.
Questions makers ask
What is an underdog startup?
An underdog startup is a new company few people know yet, usually built by one maker or a small team, with no accelerator or investors behind it.
How do I get the Underdog badge?
Launch your tool on ZeroCrew. For now the ZeroCrew team gives the badge by hand to tools that launched on ZeroCrew, have no investors or accelerator behind them, and get under 1,000 US searches a month for their name.
Why did my tool lose the Underdog badge?
Your tool passed 1,000 searches a month, or it has a backer, such as a Y Combinator batch. If that's wrong, tell ZeroCrew from the contact form and the team checks it.
Is an Underdog tool worse than a known one?
No. The badge says a tool is new and independent, not that it's better or worse. Read the Operator reviews on its page to see how founders rate it.
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