Startup Evaluation Tool
A serious, evidence-first decision aid for founders and early-stage investors.
Most startup investments fail because a good story gets mistaken for a good business. This tool turns startup hype into a transparent score and specific diligence priorities.
Evaluate any opportunity across seven critical dimensions to see if it meets the bar.
The method
Seven questions. One explainable score.
Rate each area from one to five using the evidence you have today—not the founder's best-case forecast. Market carries 20% of the score. Demand, traction, economics, and team carry 15% each. Moat and valuation carry 10% each.
Market Dynamics
Assess the structural tailwinds and niche potential.
20% of score
Customer Demand
Evaluate the urgency and clarity of the problem.
15% of score
Traction & Fit
Look for evidence of product-market fit over theater.
15% of score
Unit Economics
Assess the business model and path to profitability.
15% of score
Team & Execution
Evaluate founder insight, honesty, and speed.
15% of score
Defensibility (Moat)
Determine how the business protects its margins over time.
10% of score
Valuation & Terms
Assess the price and margin of safety.
10% of score
How to interpret your startup score
85–100
Deeper diligence
Strong enough to verify the core assumptions.
70–84
Promising, but incomplete
Investigate weak categories before committing.
55–69
Wait or renegotiate
Require proof, better terms, or both.
Below 55
Pass for now
The present risk outweighs the evidence.
This tool is educational and cannot replace financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. A score organizes diligence; it does not predict returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the scoring work?
- The tool uses a weighted algorithm prioritizing market dynamics, traction, and team execution. The final score is normalized to a 0-100 scale.
- Who is this tool for?
- Angel investors, syndicate leads, and founders wanting to pressure-test their own business objectively before raising capital.
- Is my data saved?
- Your answers remain in the browser while you use the worksheet. If you choose the optional follow-up, your name, email, and final score are submitted; the seven category answers are not stored.
- What is a good score?
- A score of 85 or higher supports deeper diligence. A score from 70 to 84 is promising but incomplete, 55 to 69 means wait or renegotiate, and below 55 generally means pass for now.