Proof of Usefulness Report

Brandenburg Labs GmbH

Analysis completed on 2/2/2026

+348
Proof of Usefulness Score
Certified Problem Solver

Brandenburg Labs holds exceptional technical credibility due to founder Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg (co-inventor of MP3). While the legacy of the founder validates the 'technical innovation' score, the company's specific product (immersive audio) is in early commercialization stages compared to the ubiquity of MP3. The claim 'most people have used my product' relies on this legacy rather than current startup traction. The project scores highly on innovation and potential utility but lower on verifiable current reach and traction relative to established mass-market benchmarks.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+187.5
Audience Reach Impact+60.0
Technical Innovation+171.0
Evidence Of Traction+12.5
Market Timing Relevance+80.0
Functional Completeness+35.0
Subtotal+546
Usefulness Multiplierx0.63
Final Score+348

Project Details

Description
At Brandenburg Labs, we strive to create cutting-edge audio technology that is inspired by how we listen to the world. We make immersive audio for headphones as intuitive as real life, enabling everyone to dive deep into any soundscape. Therefore, we have developed the perfect lifelike audio experience over headphones. Our technology simulates how sound propagates in the real world, making it indistinguishable from reality. Together with our partners, we are working towards achieving a perfect auditory illusion, especially via headphones. Our company relies on a substantial network and extensive knowledge in the fields of basic and applied research, also based on the expertise of our founder, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karlheinz Brandenburg, best known as co-inventor of mp3. As a spin-off company of the Technische Universität Ilmenau and the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology, Brandenburg Labs can draw on many years of research in the audio field at these institutions. Brandenburg Labs GmbH Ehrenbergstraße 11 98693 Ilmenau Kontakt: Telefon: +49 (0)3677 668190 Telefax: +49 (0)3677 668199 e-Mail: info@brandenburg-labs.com Website: www.brandenburg-labs.com Gesellschafter: Brandenburg Ventures GmbH Geschäftsführer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karlheinz Brandenburg, Peter Agardi Registergericht: Amtsgericht Jena HRB-Nummer: 516112

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