Proof of Usefulness Report

Academy of the near Future

Analysis completed on 2/26/2026

+301
Proof of Usefulness Score
Certified Problem Solver

The 'Academy of the Near Future' is a legitimate, government-backed educational initiative in Dublin, partnering with Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City Council. External search confirms valid traction (approx. 1,500 students reached, ~€500k in grant funding, awards). However, the submission itself contained exaggerated and low-quality claims (e.g., 'most people have used my product', 'everyone'). The project has high local utility and institutional backing, but the score is constrained by its regional scale (vs. global tech) and the poor quality of the submission data.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+17.5
Audience Reach Impact+1.0
Technical Innovation+6.0
Evidence Of Traction+6.0
Market Timing Relevance+6.0
Functional Completeness+0.25
Subtotal+36.75
Usefulness Multiplierx0.82
Final Score+301

Project Details

Project URL
nearfuture.ie
Description
Through a combination of interactive workshops and online learning, the programme provides participants a hands-on opportunity to explore and experiment with Internet of Things (IoT) technology and understand how it can be used to address city challenges such as air pollution, space occupancy, waste management and flooding. The programme was established in March, 2019 by CONNECT (the world leading SFI research centre for future communications networks at Trinity College Dublin), Dublin City Council (Ireland’s largest local authority) and Smart Docklands (a unique world-class smart city testbed in the heart of Dublin’s Docklands). The programme partners have a shared aim of increasing public understanding of the technologies that shape our daily lives.

Algorithm Insights

Market Position
Strong market validation with clear user adoption patterns
User Engagement
Documented reach suggests active user community
Technical Stack
Modern tech stack aligned with sponsor technologies

Recommendations to Increase Usefulness Score

Document User Growth

Provide specific metrics on user acquisition and retention rates

Showcase Revenue Model

Detail sustainable monetization strategy and current revenue streams

Expand Evidence Base

Include testimonials, case studies, and third-party validation

Technical Roadmap

Share development milestones and feature completion timeline