Proof of Usefulness Report

Saildrone

Analysis completed on 1/29/2026

+535
Proof of Usefulness Score
Industry Mainstay

Saildrone is a well-established Series C/D company with significant real-world utility in climate science, oceanography, and maritime defense. While the submission itself was of poor quality (claiming 'everyone' uses it and citing market cap as revenue), external verification confirms strong traction, including ~$43M annual revenue, contracts with NOAA and the US Navy, and a fleet of autonomous vehicles operating globally. The project scores highly on utility, innovation, and verified traction, though the specific submission effort was minimal.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+178.1
Audience Reach Impact+85.0
Technical Innovation+106.9
Evidence Of Traction+118.8
Market Timing Relevance+47.5
Functional Completeness+1.3
Subtotal+537.6
Usefulness Multiplierx0.995
Final Score+535

Project Details

Project URL
saildrone.com
Description
Saildrone is a company that specializes in the design, manufacture, and operation of autonomous unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for ocean data collection. Utilizing advanced technology, Saildrone's fleet of wind and solar-powered drones are capable of gathering high-resolution data from the world's oceans, providing valuable insights for a variety of applications including climate science, oceanography, and maritime security. The company aims to enhance understanding of oceanic environments and contribute to the sustainable management of ocean resources. Saildrone's innovative approach to ocean data collection supports scientific research, environmental monitoring, and commercial applications, making it a leader in the field of ocean technology.

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