Welcome to the latest HackerNoon Projects of the Week installment. Each week, we shine a light on standout projects from our Proof of Usefulness Hackathon—a contest built around the core question every builder should answer: Is my product actually useful in the real world?
For each edition, we’ll highlight projects that demonstrate clear usefulness, technical execution, and real-world impact; all backed by data and not witty buzzwords.
This week, we’re excited to share three projects that have proven their utility by solving concrete problems for real users: Get-Star, FinSight, and CodeXero.
Meet the Projects of the Week
Get-Star
Get-Star is building client-side parallel search infrastructure designed to improve speed and performance without relying heavily on centralized back-end computation. By distributing search execution closer to the user, the project aims to reduce latency, improve responsiveness, and create a more scalable search experience for modern web applications.
In a digital environment where milliseconds shape user perception, Get-Star focuses on performance as product value — giving developers a way to rethink how search is handled at the architectural level.
Proof of Usefulness score: +27/1000
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See Get-Star’s full Proof of Usefulness report
Read their HackerNoon spotlight.
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FinSight
FinSight is an AI-powered financial management system built specifically for small businesses. It helps founders move beyond static spreadsheets by providing real-time insights, forecasting, and structured financial analysis in one unified platform.
Small business operators often lack the time or expertise to interpret financial signals clearly. FinSight positions itself as a decision-support engine — translating raw financial data into actionable clarity that can guide smarter planning and healthier cash flow management.
Proof of Usefulness score: +55/1000
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See FinSight’s full Proof of Usefulness report
Read their HackerNoon spotlight.
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CodeXero
CodeXero is building a “vibe coding” engine for Web3 dApps — a system designed to accelerate decentralized application development by blending AI-assisted workflows with blockchain infrastructure.
With a significantly higher Proof of Usefulness score this week, CodeXero demonstrates strong traction in helping developers reduce friction when building smart contracts and Web3 interfaces. By simplifying complex blockchain logic into more intuitive development flows, CodeXero aims to make decentralized development faster, more accessible, and more iterative.
Proof of Usefulness score: +348/1000
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See CodeXero’s full Proof of Usefulness report
Read their HackerNoon spotlight.
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Stop Building in the Dark – Get Scored!
The web is drowning in vaporware and empty promises. We created Proof of Usefulness to reward what actually matters: real user adoption, sustainable revenue, and technical stability. n
Why submit?
1. Instant Validation: Get your Proof of Usefulness score (from -100 to +1000) the moment you submit. n 2. The Prize Pool: Compete for $20K in cash and $130K+ in software credits from Bright Data, Neo4j, Storyblok, Algolia, and HackerNoon. n 3. Built-in Distribution: Your submission becomes a HackerNoon story, putting your build in front of millions of monthly readers. n 4. Rewards for All: Every qualifying participant unlocks a suite of software credits just for entering.
How to Enter:
1. Get Your Score: Head to www.proofofusefulness.com and submit your project details to generate your PoU Report Card. n 2. Generate Your Draft: Click the button on your report page to convert your submission into a HackerNoon blog post draft. n 3. Refine & Publish: Edit your draft to add your technical “secret sauce,” then hit Submit for Review. Once published, you’re officially in the prize queue! n
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Complete guide on how to submit here.
P.S. The clock is ticking! The second month of the competition is drawing to a close, meaning the next round of winners will be announced soon. With only 4 months and 4 prize rounds remaining, now is the time to get your project in the mix. Don’t leave money on the table – get in early!
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👉 Submit Your Project Now!
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Thanks for building useful things! n P.S. Submissions roll monthly through June 2026. Get in early!
