Proof of Usefulness Report

Shorthand

Analysis completed on 2/16/2026

+535
Proof of Usefulness Score
Industry Mainstay

Shorthand is a verified, high-quality digital storytelling platform used by major clients (BBC, Honda, RELX) with estimated revenue of $6M-$10M. However, the submission quality is critically low: the team size is exaggerated (claims 350, reality ~62), traction claims are hyperbolic ('most people have used my product'), and financial metrics are confused ('marketcap: 17000000'). The score reflects the project's high actual utility and market presence, heavily penalized by the poor reliability of the submitted data.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+21.25
Audience Reach Impact+9.00
Technical Innovation+8.40
Evidence Of Traction+10.63
Market Timing Relevance+8.00
Functional Completeness+0.25
Subtotal+57.53
Usefulness Multiplierx0.93
Final Score+535

Project Details

Project URL
shorthand.com
Description
Shorthand is the beautifully simple visual storytelling platform that helps iconic brands and institutions tell their most important stories. Our clients include some of the world's best known publishers and brands, including Honda, BBC News, RELX, Ford, Dow Jones, The Financial Times, Christies, Cambridge University, Oxford University, and Save The Children. Engaged time for stories created with Shorthand can be up to 10 times higher than for other stories, according to our users. Follow us on LinkedIn for industry insights and company news.

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