Proof of Usefulness Report

TFA Labs

Analysis completed on 1/25/2026

+21
Proof of Usefulness Score
You're In Business

TFA Labs (IoT-SAS) was a legitimate attempt at blockchain-based IoT security, securing a notable U.S. Department of Energy grant (~$200k) in 2019. However, the project currently appears inactive ('deadpooled' on market intelligence platforms), and the provided website is offline. The submission contains critical credibility issues, specifically the claim that 'most people have used my product' (false for a niche B2B grid security tool) and an ambiguous 'marketcap' figure. While the technical concept of signing data at the hardware source is valid, the project lacks current utility, active users, or market relevance.

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Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+40
Real World Utility Quality+0.5
Audience Reach Impact+0
Audience Reach Impact Quality+0.5
Technical Innovation+70
Technical Innovation Quality+1
Evidence Of Traction+30
Evidence Of Traction Quality+0.5
Market Timing Relevance+20
Market Timing Relevance Quality+1
Functional Completeness+10
Response Quality Quality+0.5
Subtotal+21.5
Usefulness Multiplierx0.98
Final Score+21

Project Details

Project URL
Description
Secure your IoT data as close to the source as physically possible with our cryptographic signing micro-controller and blockchain technology. Tamper-proof and immutable data.

Algorithm Insights

Market Position
Growing utility with room for optimization
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