Proof of Usefulness Report

Catalyst McGill

Analysis completed on 2/4/2026

+32
Proof of Usefulness Score
You're In Business

Catalyst McGill is a verifiable, active student-run publication at McGill University (IDSSA) established in 2019, serving a niche academic audience. However, the submission contains severe inaccuracies, including nonsensical financial claims ('marketcap: 500000') and wildly exaggerated reach ('everyone', 'most people'). While the project has educational value and verified longevity, its real-world utility is limited to the campus community, and the submission quality negatively impacts the evaluation.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+15.0
Audience Reach Impact+1.5
Technical Innovation+1.5
Evidence Of Traction+5.0
Market Timing Relevance+5.0
Functional Completeness+0.25
Subtotal+28.25
Usefulness Multiplierx1.12
Final Score+32

Project Details

Project URL
catalystmcgill.com
Description
Catalyst is an online platform for news, features, and opinions regarding international development by students and for students. Catalyst is a student-run online platform created in 2019 as an initiative of the International Development Studies Student Association (IDSSA) at McGill University. The platform seeks to provide an inclusive and respectful space for students to share their opinions, experiences, and ideas relating to the field of international development.

Algorithm Insights

Market Position
Growing utility with room for optimization
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