Proof of Usefulness Report

Cleo

Analysis completed on 1/17/2026

+810
Proof of Usefulness Score
Unicorn Utility

Cleo is a highly successful, later-stage fintech company with verified traction significantly exceeding the typical project baseline. Search results confirm over $280M in projected Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) for 2025 and a valuation of ~$500M from a 2022 Series C round. The platform serves millions of users (claimed 4M+, verified 850k+ paid subscribers). While the submission itself contained lazy field entries (e.g., 'most people have used my product'), the project description and verifiable external data confirm exceptional reach, utility, and financial scale. A recent $17M FTC settlement serves as a cautionary note but further validates the massive scale of operations.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+225
Audience Reach Impact+228
Technical Innovation+120
Evidence Of Traction+285
Market Timing Relevance+90
Functional Completeness+5
Subtotal+953
Usefulness Multiplierx0.85
Final Score+810

Project Details

Project URL
Description
We launched in 2016 because banking is boring and broken. Cleo’s not a bank - she’s got your back. Our mission? To fight for the world’s financial health. \n\nSo, what exactly is Cleo? \nUsing simplicity and humour, she’s helped 4 million people improve their relationship with money and financial health. She’s a platform for the 99% – an AI assistant defining a new category, one that goes beyond saving and budgets to actually changing how we feel about our finances. \n\nThrough chat, she provides you with deep insight about your money, while suggesting personalised financial products that increase your ability to save. That said, it’s really our tone of voice that makes us special.\n\nWe’re a product for the next generation. We’re meeting our users where they are and building the type of relationship they expect. That also means dropping the BS.\n\nIn the past year or so (yes, mid pandemic) we’ve grown the Cleo team from 45 to over 100, closed a $44m Series B led by EQT Ventures and helped over 4 million people on their journey towards financial health.\n\nFind your place at the Fintech that's fighting back. You know that awful feeling when you wake up wondering if what you’re about to do for the next 8 hours actually matters? That doesn’t happen here much. Everything we do is grounded in purpose. And because we’re all showing up for the same reason, collaboration comes easy.\n\nWe’re a culture of stepping up. We want, and expect you to grow and develop. You’ll have our support in everything you do. But more importantly, you’ll have our trust. We treat our people as humans first, employees second. Because we can’t fight for the world’s financial health, if we’re not healthy ourselves. We also prioritise everyone having a voice. All perspectives are embraced here and we’re humble enough to know that we’ll always need more of them. Not less.
Audience Reach
everyone
Target Users
everyone
Technologies
Banking, Messaging Communications, Fintech
Traction Evidence
most people have used my product

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