Proof of Usefulness Report

Startup of the Year

Analysis completed on 2/27/2026

+435
Proof of Usefulness Score
Certified Problem Solver

Startup of the Year is a well-established entity (15+ years) run by Established with high-profile partners (NASA, CTA) and real utility for founders. However, the submission itself is of extremely low quality, featuring false claims ('most people have used my product', 'everyone') and anonymous user data ('AncientShade'). The score reflects the legitimate high value of the project entity, heavily penalized by the poor credibility of the submission inputs.

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 Utility2.5)
Audience Reach Impact2.0)
Technical Innovation1.5)
Evidence Of Traction2.5)
Market Timing Relevance1.0)
Functional Completeness0.5)
Subtotal+493.75
Usefulness Multiplierx0.88
Final Score+435

Project Details

Project URL
startupofyear.com
Description
Startup of the Year is a competition, a community, and a resource born out of the heads of the TechCo founders and is managed and produced by Established in partnership with Established Ventures. This year-long program offers opportunities for startups to gain exposure, build meaningful relationships, and compete the top 100 early-stage startups compete for a chance at a potential investment at the Startup of the Year Summit & Finals at the conclusion of each year. Startup of the Year also offers an ongoing opportunity to connect startups seeking funding with investors via the Daily Dealflow newsletter. More info here: https://soty.link/dd Additionally, the Startup of the Year Podcast can be found everywhere podcasts are offered and brings insightful interviews with investors, thought-leaders, and startup founders. More info here: https://soty.link/SOTYPodcast More information on the Startup of the Year program can be found here online at: http://www.startupoftheyear.com

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