We’re back with another exciting edition of HackerNoon’s weekly startup showcase. Each week, the HackerNoon team handpicks standout companies from our Startups of The Year database, all nominated as top performers in their industries or regions.
These aren’t just any startups – they’re the innovative companies making real waves in today’s business landscape. This week, we’re pleased to bring you UseCodify, Hoken Tech, and Star for Life Ukraine.
Meet Startups of the Week
UseCodify
UseCodify is a Berlin‑based SaaS agency (founded 2023) that builds custom web and mobile apps, APIs, and CMS solutions for startups and small to mid-sized firms. Its work spans from Android and iOS to web platforms and digital marketing. With glowing 5‑star reviews on Clutch and DesignRush, clients particularly praise their speed, communication, and quality.
Fun fact: UseCodify won HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year 2024 for their strong technical delivery and role in Berlin’s dynamic startup community.
Hoken Tech
HokenTech is an AI-powered mobile app that authenticates luxury watches. With a simple photo upload, the app uses advanced machine‑learning algorithms to verify whether Rolexs, Omegas, Richard Mille, and other high‑end timepieces are genuine. It’s designed for watch collectors, jewelers, and buyers who want immediate, reliable verification to avoid counterfeits.
Fun fact: The app continues to learn and improve its accuracy over time using continual AI updates, aiming to streamline and secure the luxury-watch market experience.
Located in Bari, Italy, Hoken Tech has won HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year award for their region.
Star for Life Ukraine
Star for Life Ukraine is a charitable foundation launched in 2022 as part of the global Star for Life network (active since 2005). It provides IT education—such as Java and Android programming courses—to schoolchildren affected by war, with both online and offline tech labs and camps. Beyond hard skills, the organization emphasizes mental health and resilience: they integrate psychological support through initiatives like “Mental Boost,” funded by partners such as Oriflame, which raised a quarter of children rating their morale as “excellent” from 1.2% to 26.1% . In just its first year, the foundation educated over 200 children in Java, hosted tech camps, and deployed hundreds of laptops to underserved regions.
Fun fact: They repurpose donated laptops—100+ collected in late 2022—to equip IT labs in conflict‑affected areas, making tech accessible where it’s needed most.
Located in Kyiv, Ukraine, Star for Life has won HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year award for their region.
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About HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year
Startups of The Year 2024 is HackerNoon’s flagship community-driven event celebrating startups, technology, and the spirit of innovation. Currently in its third iteration, the prestigious Internet award recognizes and celebrates tech startups of all shapes and sizes. This year, over 150,000 entities across 4200+ cities, 6 continents, and 100+ industries will participate in a bid to be crowned the best startup of the year! Millions of votes have been cast over the past few years, and many stories have been written about these daring and rising startups.
The winners will get a free interview on HackerNoon and an Evergreen Tech Company News page.
Visit our FAQ page to learn more.
Download our design assets here.
Check out the Startups of the Year Merch Shop here.
HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year is a branding opportunity unlike any other. Whether your goal is brand awareness or lead generation, HackerNoon has curated startup-friendly packages to solve your marketing challenges.
