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? Proof of Usefulness Hackathon 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. Get-Star FinSight 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. Get-Star 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 Proof of Usefulness score: +27/1000 See Get-Star’s full Proof of Usefulness report
Read their HackerNoon spotlight. See Get-Star’s full Proof of Usefulness report See Get-Star’s full Proof of Usefulness report Read their HackerNoon spotlight. Read their HackerNoon spotlight 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. FinSight 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 Proof of Usefulness score: +55/1000 See FinSight’s full Proof of Usefulness report
Read their HackerNoon spotlight. See FinSight’s full Proof of Usefulness report See FinSight’s full Proof of Usefulness report Read their HackerNoon spotlight. Read their HackerNoon spotlight. 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. CodeXero 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 Proof of Usefulness score: +348/1000 See CodeXero’s full Proof of Usefulness report
Read their HackerNoon spotlight. See CodeXero’s full Proof of Usefulness report See CodeXero’s full Proof of Usefulness report Read their HackerNoon spotlight. Read their HackerNoon spotlight. Stop Building in the Dark - Get Scored! The web is drowning in vaporware and empty promises. We created Proof of Usefulnessto reward what actually matters: real user adoption, sustainable revenue, and technical stability. Proof of Usefulness Why submit? 1. Instant Validation:Get your Proof of Usefulness score (from -100 to +1000) the moment you submit.2. The Prize Pool: Compete for $20K in cash and $130K+ in software credits from Bright Data, Neo4j, Storyblok, Algolia, and HackerNoon.3. Built-in Distribution:Your submission becomes a HackerNoon story, putting your build in front of millions of monthly readers.4. Rewards for All: Every qualifying participant unlocks a suite of software credits just for entering. 1. Instant Validation: 2. The Prize Pool: Bright Data Bright Data Neo4j Neo4j Storyblok Storyblok Algolia Algolia HackerNoon HackerNoon 3. Built-in Distribution: 4. Rewards for All: How to Enter: 1. Get Your Score: Head to www.proofofusefulness.comand submit your project details to generate your PoU Report Card.2. Generate Your Draft:Click the button on your report page to convert your submission into a HackerNoon blog post draft.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! 1. Get Your Score: www.proofofusefulness.com 2. Generate Your Draft: 3. Refine & Publish: 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! Complete guide on how to submit here. Complete guide on how to submit here. Complete guide on how to submit here. 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! P.S. The clock is ticking! 👉 Submit Your Project Now! 👉 Submit Your Project Now! 👉 Submit Your Project Now! 👉 Submit Your Project Now! Thanks for building useful things!P.S. Submissions roll monthly through June 2026. Get in early!

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HackerNoon Projects of the Week: Get-Star, FinSight and CodeXero

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