Every year, the Austin Chamber and SXSW host the Austin A-List Awards, which celebrates and promotes Austin’s top innovative, homegrown companies and leaders. The event highlights both tech and non-tech companies.

Austin is home to a unique and collaborative business community. We are working to highlighting them in a variety of ways including through a commitment to make A-List an enduring honor by staying in touch with and highlighting our winners throughout the year.

As we approach this year’s Austin A-List Awards on May 23 at ACL Live @ the Moody Theater, we are looking each week at a different 2018 winner.

When selecting winners, our judges evaluate nominees on the following criteria:

Innovation: How novel/innovative is the company’s core idea?
Achievability: How achievable/practical is the idea? Can it be delivered?
Sustainability: Is the company sourcing properly with thoughts on its impact to the environment?
Growth: Will the company scale over time?
Leadership: Does the company have the right leadership to execute?

2018 Start-Up Winner: Rocket Dollar

Thomas Young, CMO for Rocket Dollar shares the following about their company.

“Since being recognized as an A-list winner in 2018, Rocket Dollar has continued to flourish. We've launched our two flagship products, the Self-Directed IRA and Self-Directed Solo 401(k), and now have customers in over 40 states. It's exciting to hear how our customers are using their retirement accounts to buy real estate, invest in startups around town, or extend small businesses loans in their communities.

Our team has also continued to grow, now at 14 full-time employees, up from 7 at the same time last year. We're excited to keep growing in Austin, and benefiting from the great partners in the city, such as A-list!”

Know an awesome candidate for 2019 Austin A-List Awards? Help us discover and promote the very best Austin has to offer. Nominate here.