10 Start-Up Companies Worth Investing In

It seems like everyone from high school kids to retirees is starting a company in their spare time. Finding the hottest startup is akin to finding a needle in a haystack, so we've assembled a list of 10 start-up companies that you may not have heard about.

Combining innovation and a genuine interest in making the world a better place, these 10 brands are on the verge of making a major breakthrough, and will soon become household names.

1. UpDog: Video Review App

UpDog is the first app where you don't just see the food in the review, but you see the venue, people and atmosphere too. It’s rumored that this reinvention of the review app is going to take a huge chunk out of the market share that Yelp currently occupies, and is predicted to be positioned for an early acquisition.

2. Hopper: Saves You Money on Travel

Hopper is a way to consolidate those travel blogs and travel-themed Pinterest boards. There’s no need to sift through travel sites to find the best deal with Hopper in your browser, as this site provides data-driven research to help travelers make better decisions about where to go, when to fly and when to buy.

Founded in 2007 and backed by Brightspark, Atlas Venture and OMERS Ventures, Hopper is sure to gain the market share of the other travel websites.

3. GenoVive: Healthy Eating Designed for You

GenoVive works as both a personal nutritionist and a fitness trainer. Using a person’s DNA, health specialists create a personalized meal plan and exercise regimen to help customers begin a healthier lifestyle and reach their goal weight.

4. ThinkUp: Social Media Information App

ThinkUp gathers your social media activity and relays important information to you in a fun and conversational way. It allows for a greater knowledge of your web presence, making it an asset for online personalities and businesses utilizing social media.

5. Plated: Food Delivery Program

Plated delivers everything you need to make a healthy gourmet meal right to your front door, including the recipe and pre-portioned fresh ingredients. The company advocates good eating with the convenience of not having to go to the grocery store.

Plated currently delivers to 80% of the continental United States and continues to expand.

6. Packback Books: eBooks for Rent

Packback Books gives college students the opportunity to rent eBooks on an as-needed basis, for no more than $5 a day. This eliminates the issue of purchasing textbooks that cost hundreds of dollars and then rarely using them in class, as well as the need for rental services such as Chegg.

Packback Books is currently in its beta stage.

7. Samba: Video Reaction App

Samba is an app that records the recipient’s reaction to a sent video, and then returns the reaction to the sender. This combines the appeal of communication via digital outlets and face-to-face communication, and is a faster alternative to FaceTime or Skype.

It is set to go live in the Apple Store soon.

8. Groundwork: Workshop Interview Program

Groundwork is reinventing the job interview process by providing workshop environments for job seekers and companies seeking employees. This grants all parties involved the opportunity to work together and showcase their strengths in a working environment.

9. Pillpack: Medication Simplified

PillPack has streamlined and simplified the modern pharmacy experience. PillPack boasts the variety of a full-service pharmacy and the convenience of a doorstep delivery service. Furthermore, handles refills and daily dosages, as medication is pre-sorted into daily packs. This is a business that will revolutionize the drug industry and change the lives of those who are always on-the-go and those who just can’t remember to take their afternoon pill.

10. Jazinga: Simplifying Small Business Communications

Jazinga is the startup designed for startups. This technology-based startup is focused on simplifying and slimming down small business communications. Jazinga has the power to transform how businesses operate and communicate.