As we prepare for the 2015 Austin A-List, we wanted to highlight some of our past A-Listers. The A-List aims to capture the breadth and depth of Austin’s innovation ecosystem for emerging, growth, and later stage companies. Our goal is to highlight as many great founders and thriving companies as we possibly can to help showcase Austin’s rich and diverse talent as we compete for global recognition and capital.

Today's post features Phunware's Chairman & CEO, Alan Knitowski. Phunware is the pioneer of Multiscreen as a Service™ (MaaS) – the only fully integrated services platform that enables brands to engage, manage and monetize their anytime anywhere users. Phunware has introduced category-defining experiences that challenge the outer limits of the most advanced connected devices for the world’s most respected brands.

Why did you apply for A-List?

We felt that we had accomplished a lot as a young company and wanted to see if we could achieve merit-based recognition for our early efforts in mobile. Austin is a dynamic tech community and we wanted to throw our proverbial hat in the ring to gauge how we were doing against our local peers, specifically, and our local community at large.

What do you think it means / what does it take to be the hottest startup in Austin?

Being the hottest start up in Austin is a flattering and humbling honor as the local community is full of amazing people and fantastic companies. It is a reflection of a lot of work by a lot of people, over a lot of time, in pursuit of a common goal. In order to receive such recognition, I believe that it requires operational execution and performance, including more form, substance and steak than hype, slideware and sizzle. Said differently, I believe that merit-based awards require proof rather than positioning or PR. In such a competitive marketplace and community, any recognition is incredibly worthwhile and exciting. It further validates forward momentum and progress … not only for employees, but also for investors.

How did A-List impact your business?

I think that A-List impacted our business by giving it more public visibility, both in Austin and in other locations that monitor start-up activity here. We were really quiet about what we were up to at Phunware for a number of years as we got the business off and running. A-List was really a PR coming out party for us. We decided to let broader audiences know more about what we were doing and how we were performing against our goals.

How has your business grown since A-List?

Since becoming an A-List selection, our business has really flourished. We are now a back-to-back Inc. Magazine 100 award winner for growth, a back-to-back Forbes award winner for America’s Most Promising Companies, and the # 4 ranked company on the 2014 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list for the 5-year period from 2009-2013 with a growth rate exceeding 17,000%. Needless to say, all of this has been extremely surreal. We are very blessed and thankful to have been able to achieve so much so fast.

Any advice for nominees this year?

My only advice for new nominees is to embrace the opportunity. Enjoy the nomination as a great milestone in your business’ history and celebrate your team, their families and your investors as part of the process. Everyone is always working so hard to make their young businesses survive and thrive. Really take a breath as part of A-List to enjoy a collective pat on the back. You deserve it!

To nominate your company and learn more, visit the 2015 Austin A-List of the Hottest Startups nominations page. Nominations are open until April 24th!

Not a hot startup, but know an awesome candidate? Spread the word! Help us discover and promote the very best Austin has to offer.