Proof of Usefulness Report

Star Tribune

Analysis completed on 1/30/2026

+593
Proof of Usefulness Score
Industry Mainstay

The Star Tribune is a major, verified legacy media institution (est. 1867) with undeniable regional dominance and utility. The project scores highly on real-world utility, reach, and traction due to its established market position and scale (team size 700+, millions of readers). However, the submission itself is of extremely low quality, providing vague claims ('everyone', 'most people') and lacking specific internal metrics. The final score is heavily boosted by external verification of the entity's scale but penalized for the poor response quality and lack of detailed technical evidence.

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+180.0
Technical Innovation+22.5
Evidence Of Traction+180.0
Market Timing Relevance+50.0
Functional Completeness+1.25
Subtotal+658.75
Usefulness Multiplierx0.9
Final Score+593

Project Details

Project URL
startribune.com
Description
Star Tribune is a prominent media company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, known for its comprehensive news coverage and in-depth reporting. Operating through its website, startribune.com, the company delivers a wide range of content, including local, national, and international news, as well as features on business, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. With a strong commitment to journalistic integrity and community engagement, Star Tribune serves as a vital source of information for its readers, both in print and online. The company has a rich history and continues to adapt to the evolving media landscape by embracing digital innovation and multimedia storytelling.

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