Verdict Calibration
Is the bar real, or just strict?
The validation rubric rarely returns a "Build" verdict. This page makes the threshold a measured choice, not a guess: the full score distribution, the exact criterion that blocks each near-miss, and a graph-grounded thesis confidence that credits ideas with real evidence behind them.
Score distribution
A real bar, not a hype machine: most reports land in Validate, and Build is reserved for ≥80 with no weak criterion.
What blocks Build
Among near-misses, the criterion most often scoring below 7/10:
Closest near-misses
One criterion from Build.
Reports scoring Validate-or-better, ranked by how little stands between them and a Build verdict.
AI workflow reliability monitor for small teams
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
Private AI prompt workspace for sensitive teams
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
AI operations signal monitor: Amazon CEO's talks with U.S. officials triggered crackdown on Anthropic models
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
AI operations signal monitor: If Claude Fable stops helping you, you'll never know
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
AI operations signal monitor: MiMo Code is now released and open-source
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
Auto signal monitor: Mercedes‑Benz starts large‑scale production of electric axial flux motor
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
Consumer health and safety signal monitor: CRISPR tech selectively shreds cancer cells, including "undruggable" cancers
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
Technology operations signal monitor: Show HN: Kage – Shadow any website to a single binary for offline viewing
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
AI operations signal monitor: xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontier lab
Weakest: Feasibility (6.2/10)
Thesis confidence
Where real evidence lifts the score.
A graph-grounded signal: the raw validation score plus bounded credit for declared complaint evidence, a trend seed, and cross-vertical keyword demand. Monotonic and capped at 100 — evidence can only help.
AI workflow reliability monitor for small teams
+4 declared complaint evidence · +2 cross-vertical keyword demand
AI operations signal monitor: Amazon CEO's talks with U.S. officials triggered crackdown on Anthropic models
+3 trend seed · +3 cross-vertical keyword demand
Private AI prompt workspace for sensitive teams
+4 declared complaint evidence
Technology operations signal monitor: Show HN: Kage – Shadow any website to a single binary for offline viewing
+3 trend seed · +1 cross-vertical keyword demand
AI operations signal monitor: If Claude Fable stops helping you, you'll never know
+3 cross-vertical keyword demand
AI operations signal monitor: MiMo Code is now released and open-source
+3 cross-vertical keyword demand
Auto signal monitor: Mercedes‑Benz starts large‑scale production of electric axial flux motor
+3 cross-vertical keyword demand
AI operations signal monitor: xAI is looking more like a datacentre REIT than a frontier lab
+3 cross-vertical keyword demand
Change-order risk detector for landscaping contractors
+2 cross-vertical keyword demand
Contractor onboarding checklist for small construction firms
+1 cross-vertical keyword demand
Vendor insurance certificate tracker for property managers
+1 cross-vertical keyword demand
Data processing agreement tracker for micro SaaS teams
+3 cross-vertical keyword demand