Round 1 Winners!
Proof of Usefulness Report

HazardLock

Analysis completed on 3/20/2026

+44.38
Proof of Usefulness Score
You're In Business

HazardLock offers an innovative conceptual solution for tracking discarded syringes and mapping substance use patterns. However, the submission contains exaggerated and unverifiable claims regarding traction ('most people have used my product') and audience reach ('everyone'). Given the lack of concrete active user metrics and poor response quality, the project falls into the minimal traction category despite its high market relevance.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+17.50
Audience Reach Impact+1.00
Technical Innovation+12.00
Evidence Of Traction+0.63
Market Timing Relevance+8.00
Functional Completeness+0.50
Subtotal+39.63
Usefulness Multiplierx1.12
Final Score+44

Project Details

Project URL
hazardlock.com
Description
HazardLock provides a reliable solution to detect and retrieve drug syringes that are improperly discarded on the streets. The technology detects syringes (even at obscured locations) from a distance of 20 feet while recording their geolocation, time, type of syringe, and other pertinent information. By identifying areas of high substance consumption in real-time and extracting the substance use patterns, HazardLock’s machine learning model predicts individuals at the highest risk of developing substance use disorders, detects new substances introduced to the area, and informs stakeholders on the effective allocation of public health resources.

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