Proof of Usefulness Report

Forage

Analysis completed on 1/22/2026

+663
Proof of Usefulness Score
Category Standard

Forage is a high-potential fintech company effectively solving the technical barrier of accepting EBT/SNAP payments online (a $80B+ market). External verification confirms a $22M Series A raise and partnerships with major platforms like Shopify and Uber Eats, indicating strong traction and utility. However, the submission itself was low-quality, containing hyperbolic claims ('most people have used my product') and unprofessional placeholders, which negatively impacted the Quality Factors and overall score.

Ready to Compete for $150k+ in Prizes?

Move this data into a HackerNoon blog draft to become eligible for your share of $150k+ in cash and software prizes

View All Reports

Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+225
Audience Reach Impact+90
Technical Innovation+127.5
Evidence Of Traction+191.25
Market Timing Relevance+95
Functional Completeness+7.5
Subtotal+736.25
Usefulness Multiplierx0.9
Final Score+663

Project Details

Project URL
joinforage.com
Description
Forage is an online payment solution for government subsidies— the Stripe of government payment systems. Our first software offering helps online grocery stores accept EBT payments online. EBT is like the Visa of government money, and it currently distributes over $80 Billion in food subsidies a year.\n\nhttps://www.finsmes.com/2022/08/forage-raises-22m-in-series-a-funding.html

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