Backed by Research
Our Methodology
At YouNoodle, we believe that an unbiased evaluation of entrepreneurial ideas is crucial for success, both now and in the future. To support this, we've developed a technology platform that offers a framework for program organizers to set up, manage, and execute an unbiased judging process.Our methodology, built on simple best practices, is designed to significantly increase an applicant's opportunities for success throughout their entrepreneurial journey. We emphasize that the steps taken to reach a goal are just as, if not more, important than winning the final prize or grant.
The Research Behind it
Geoffrey Barrows and his team at Ecole Polytechnique in Paris conducted a study in 2017 using an anonymized dataset of over 20,000 startups evaluated on the YouNoodle platform. They analyzed the correlation between initial evaluation results and future startup success, examining metrics such as survival rate, funding, and employee growth. The findings unequivocally demonstrate a strong correlation.
In 2021, YouNoodle collaborated with University of California, Berkeley students on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) project. The project's goal was to redesign YouNoodle's evaluation criteria to better incorporate DEI principles. The outcome of this project was a questionnaire that allows both program administrators and applicants to directly score each program's DEI level on the platform. This functionality aimed to create a public ranking of programs based on their DEI scores.
How Might We Restructure
YouNoodle's Evaluation Criteria
to Include Diversity & Inclusion?
In 2021, YouNoodle collaborated with University of California, Berkeley students on a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) project. The project's goal was to redesign YouNoodle's evaluation criteria to better incorporate DEI principles. The outcome of this project was a questionnaire that allows both program administrators and applicants to directly score each program's DEI level on the platform. This functionality aimed to create a public ranking of programs based on their DEI scores.
Equitable Design Lab: Innovation and Bias, Increasing Access for Diverse Startups
The Equitable Design Lab program aimed to address the question: "How might we restructure YouNoodle's evaluation criteria to include diversity and inclusion?"
To answer this, the Equitable Design team utilized the observation phase of their Design Thinking methodology. This involved an in-depth exploration of how YouNoodle stakeholders operate, their understanding of diversity and inclusion, and the extent to which these topics are integrated into their platform.