Proof of Usefulness Report

StartEngine

Analysis completed on 1/30/2026

+674
Proof of Usefulness Score
Category Standard

StartEngine is a verifiable, market-leading equity crowdfunding platform with significant real-world utility and traction (>$1B invested, ~167 employees). Despite the submission containing hyperbolic claims (e.g., 'audience reach: everyone') and messy data entry, the underlying project demonstrates exceptional scale and relevance. The score reflects its status as a mature, high-revenue fintech company, placing it in the top tier of the calibration scale (400–700+), though slightly penalized for the low quality of the specific submission text.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+225.0
Audience Reach Impact+136.0
Technical Innovation+112.5
Evidence Of Traction+225.0
Market Timing Relevance+90.0
Functional Completeness+5.0
Subtotal+793.5
Usefulness Multiplierx0.85
Final Score+674

Project Details

Project URL
Description
Help make LA a top tech city. Tap into the country's second largest city and a highly talented group of innovators, engineers and creative professionals to build successful and disruptive startups.

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