Proof of Usefulness Report

Merit

Analysis completed on 1/6/2026

+308
Proof of Usefulness Score
Certified Problem Solver

The submission critically conflates two distinct entities: 'Merit' (the verified identity software startup described in the text and located at merits.com) and 'Merit Medical Systems' (a public medical device company founded in 1987). The evaluation focuses on the software platform (merits.com) as described. The project demonstrates strong real-world utility and verified traction with state governments (e.g., Florida) and 2.5M+ digital credentials. However, the input metrics for revenue ($4.88B) and team size (7,000) are incorrect (belonging to the medical device company), resulting in a significant penalty to Response Quality and requiring independent verification of the startup's actual scale (~Seed/Series A stage, ~250k active users).

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+25
Audience Reach Impact+9
Technical Innovation+11
Evidence Of Traction+14
Market Timing Relevance+8
Functional Completeness+0
Subtotal+69
Usefulness Multiplierx0.89
Final Score+308

Project Details

Project URL
merits.com
Description
Merit’s verified identity platform brings visibility, liquidity, and trust to people-data, giving organizations the clarity to make better-informed decisions, engage with individuals effectively, and pursue their mission efficiently. Merit works with trusted private, state, and municipal organizations to solve critical real-world problems in sectors such as workforce development, emergency services, licensing, education, and defense readiness. \n\nThe COVID-19 crisis has transformed workforce development and emergency services, requiring states and municipalities to innovate and streamline critical services, such as reemployment and COVID-19 vaccination programs, using solutions like Merit. \n\nMore than 1,400 organizations have sent 2.5 million+ merits, engaging 250,000+ active individuals – and the verified identity network grows daily.
Audience Reach
everyone
Target Users
everyone
Technologies
Software Development, Elearning, Educational Institutions
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