By Dean Takahashi

If you’ve ever felt like you’re the best in the world at something, then www.topthat.com has a contest for you.

The Cayman Islands-based company lets you create a contest about anything and then challenge people from around the world to top your entry. TopThat has officially launched its online combat arena website.

This isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for trash-talking, in-your-face, socially competitive people, said Brandon Caruana, chief executive of TopThat.

“Facebook has made everyone friends, and you can ‘Like’ what your friends do,” Caruana said. “But we’re a site where people can put up or shut up.”

You can create contests of any kind, like who has the best ski run video or who has the best cat picture. Members of the site then vote, and the winner takes home global bragging rights or possibly even prizes. You can create 1-on-1 or group-based competitions. The site has an easy-to-navigate interface, where members create their own personal profiles and add photos, URLs, descriptions, and success rates.

If you rise to the top, you can create your own personal brand or TopThat personality. You can browse TopThat challenges and either vote as a judge or enter as a competitor. You can vote “love it,” “no opinion,” or “hate it.”

“Think about the last time you excelled — maybe in a sport, performing in front of a crowd, or just a few friends,” said Caruana. “In that moment, didn’t you wish that the whole world was seeing you at your best? TopThat is built for just that.”

In the first quarter of 2013, TopThat plans to introduce a points system that will allow members to monetize their competitions. Members can use the points to increase their stature on TopThat.com. Those members will receive higher exposure on the site and can generate revenue from their competitions.

TopThat integrates with other social media, so you can easily promote your contests on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+. Topics span Arts & Entertainment, Sports, Pets, Technology, and Lifestyle. Examples of competitions on TopThat include Top Guitar Solo, Human Statues, Top Michael Jackson Impersonators, “Call Me Maybe” University Clash, and Best Instagram Picture.

Caruana said that in 2013, the startup will offer new monetization via corporate sponsorships, ads, and partnerships. Caruana formed the company in 2011. A Toronto, Canada native, he moved to the Cayman Islands four years ago to create software for a hedge fund. After hours, he got the idea to create a site where members could out do one another. He happened to be playing golf at the time with a friend and wanted others to judge who had the best golf swing.

The company has four employees.

“We all left our day jobs now,” he said.

The site began beta-testing in August. The company raised $100,000 from an angel investor.

For more on this story go to: http://venturebeat.com/2012/10/11/topthat-launches-social-competitive-site-to-put-up-or-shut-up/#weKt6EUHIL3jQI7y.99