Proof of Usefulness Report

Phobio

Analysis completed on 2/16/2026

+645
Proof of Usefulness Score
Category Standard

Phobio is a verifiable, established market leader in the device trade-in sector (founded 2010, Atlanta, GA), powering programs for major retailers like Costco and historically Apple. While the submission itself was low-effort (vague claims, confusing 'marketcap' figure likely referring to revenue or GMV), external verification confirms a team of ~100 employees and estimated annual revenue between $15M-$50M. The project demonstrates exceptional real-world utility and traction, placing it in the 'Much larger scale' calibration tier (400-700), significantly outperforming the baseline despite the poor quality of the provided text.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+187.5
Audience Reach Impact+150.0
Technical Innovation+97.5
Evidence Of Traction+255.0
Market Timing Relevance+75.0
Functional Completeness+5.0
Subtotal+770
Usefulness Multiplierx0.838
Final Score+645

Project Details

Project URL
Description
We believe every device should have multiple lives before it is recycled to make something new, and we’re obsessed with delivering great customer experiences that make it easy for people to do the right thing. We reject the old model of take→make→waste and instead promote the reuse of resilient products. With creativity and persistence we can build a restorative economy that maximizes resources, expands access, and fuels innovation. This is why we built Phobio together, and it is what drives us every day.

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