Show HN: I accidentally built a startup idea validation tool

12 kptbarbarossa 19 8/12/2025, 8:29:23 PM validationly.com ↗
I was working on validating some of my own project ideas. While trying to find how to validate my idea, I realized the process itself could be turned into a tool.

A few late nights later, I had something that takes any startup idea, fetches discussions, summarizes sentiment, and gives a quick “validation score.”

It’s very rough, but it works, and it’s already making me rethink a few of my own ideas.

It's still a work in progress. I don't actually know what I'm doing, but I know it's worth it. Honest feedback welcomed! Live demo here: https://validationly.com/

Comments (19)

romanhn · 1h ago
Entered the marketing text from the home page into the textbox ("Validate your idea before you build it. Get AI-driven market validation in seconds. Analyze demand across social platforms with actionable insights."), received a 75/100 score with a $10B TAM. I guess we'll see how valid this validator is soon enough.
wrayjustin · 55m ago
Heh. I did the same. And got the same results (75/100).

Here's the Reddit copy it provided:

AI-Powered Startup Idea Validation: Is Your Idea Viable?

This AI tool helps validate startup ideas by analyzing market trends, competition, and potential revenue. Share your ideas!

alberth · 2h ago
Maybe dumb luck but I keep getting exactly the same “75” score - for each business idea I type in.

Like the idea though.

furyofantares · 1h ago
My idea: extra stairs on staircases even when you don't need them because LLMS exist.

> 65, "good potenial"

> Model:Freemium SaaS

> Price:$29/month

> Break-even:18 months

> LTV/CAC:4.2x

> Projected MRR:$25K by Year 1

KaseKun · 1h ago
I got a score of 25 for "What if everything was spiders?"
jkubicek · 1h ago
I hit a score of 75 with $1b in realistic revenue for "racoonatooie"
harlanlewis · 1h ago
I only got 65 for the same idea. I guess you have first mover advantage?
jkubicek · 1h ago
> Announcing Raccoonatooie, a game-changing SaaS solution for [target audience]. Learn more about how we help businesses [value proposition].
fionic · 36m ago
My "Weapons of mass destruction manufacturer and arsenal storage with mercenary soldier services” got a 65 rating with good potential. Market size is $0.
wrayjustin · 52m ago
It doesn't like my bottled mountain fresh air idea. Says it "needs work."

> Breathe in the crisp mountain air, anywhere > Introducing bottled mountain air. > #fresh #nature #wellness

3yanlis1bos · 2h ago
I really liked all the info you have provided. You need a solid evidence to back some of the claims made by the system.

You might want to add a section where you list related/similar startups and how well they are doing (in terms of ARR and/or other metrics.)

jkubicek · 1h ago
This tool thinks my intentionally dumb idea (Like Uber, except for beekeepers) has "good potential" with an obtainable market of $500mm/year within 5 years.
ojosilva · 1h ago
yeah, the niceness and complacent nature of model training makes it hard to try to nuke any idea from all possible angles, which is what a good VC review does anyway. This a confirmation-bias validation tool!

OP, here are some pointers: prompt the model into the most negative, raunchy and insurmountable as possible personality. Give it examples in the system prompt on how VCs (or your average reddit user...) responds to business ideas, maybe as a different persona, then present negatives and positives from the model at different angles. Wash, rinse, iterate.

jkubicek · 1h ago
My next idea wasn't as good. "boat stuff" is only a $12mm/year idea.
gavinh · 1h ago
> Farts for busy people who dont have time and also LLMs

30/100

wc_nomad · 1h ago
> an app that tells you how potent your poo is, and rates it against other poos to see who has the worst poo

35/100

My start up is going to crush yours.

electrondood · 56m ago
Oh sure... I'll just give you my idea to make Uber but for dogs.
annoyingnoob · 1h ago
Dating for Salesforce looks like a winner!
xnx · 2h ago
Yet another "give me your business ideas for free" business tool ... now with AI wrapper!