"set out with the objective of identifying the best analysts for each stock. We combed through 18 years of detailed analyst data, tracking every earnings estimate, revision, and recommendation recorded by I/B/E/S and First Call. We then developed sophisticated metrics to measure the accuracy of earnings estimates and the profitability of their stock picking recommendations, taking into account the performance and consistency of each analyst both in absolute terms and in comparison to their peers."
Starmine overweights the forecasts of the best-rated analysts (based on past performance) and underweights underachievers. They say it beats the "widely-used consensus estimates", I guess they’re referring to Zacks.
02/15/02 update: StarMine Corp. receives $5M.