Proof of Usefulness Report

PeoplePerHour

Analysis completed on 1/27/2026

+595
Proof of Usefulness Score
Industry Mainstay

PeoplePerHour is a highly established freelance marketplace (founded 2007) with verifiable traction (1.4M+ users, ~$20M+ est. revenue, $33M+ funding). The submission accurately cites a Tracxn-reported valuation ($380M) and employee count (7, likely a specific legal entity figure), though the latter contradicts the operational reality of a platform this size (~130+ employees). While the platform's utility and market position are strong (scoring above typical benchmarks like HackerNoon), the submission itself was minimal ('everyone', 'most people have used my product'), necessitating significant Quality Factor penalties. The final score reflects the high intrinsic value of the verified platform adjusted for the low effort of the submission.

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+225.0
Audience Reach Impact+136.0
Technical Innovation+37.5
Evidence Of Traction+135.0
Market Timing Relevance+80.0
Functional Completeness+7.5
Subtotal+621
Usefulness Multiplierx0.96
Final Score+595

Project Details

Description
PeoplePerHour is an online platform that connects businesses with freelancers from around the world. Founded in 2007, the company provides a marketplace where businesses can post projects and hire skilled professionals across various fields such as writing, design, programming, marketing, and more. PeoplePerHour aims to simplify the process of finding and hiring freelance talent by offering a user-friendly interface, secure payment systems, and a wide range of categories to choose from. The platform is designed to cater to the needs of both small businesses and large enterprises, providing flexible solutions for project-based work.

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