Question 1

Why did my startup get a low score?

Accepted Answer

Low scores usually reflect weak market fit, crowded competition, unclear differentiation, or high execution risk. Our AI analyzes your idea across these dimensions and explains the main issues in the breakdown. Use the verdict and suggested pivot to refine your concept and re-roast to see improvement.

Question 2

What do the roast score tiers mean?

Accepted Answer

Ship It (85–100): Strong idea, worth validating further. Decent (70–84): Promising but has gaps to address. Needs Work (50–69): Significant issues; use feedback to iterate. Roasted (0–49): Major concerns; consider pivoting or solving the core problem before building.

Question 3

How does DontBuildThis score startup ideas?

Accepted Answer

Our AI evaluates your idea on market fit, competition, differentiation, execution risk, and clarity. It returns a score out of 100, a tier, a verdict, and a detailed breakdown so you know exactly what to improve before spending time and money building.

Question 4

Can I improve my startup idea score?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Use the breakdown and verdict to address weak points, then submit an updated idea or pivot. Many founders improve their score by narrowing the problem, clarifying the target customer, or strengthening their unique angle.

Question 5

What is a good score for a startup idea?

Accepted Answer

Scores of 70+ indicate promising ideas worth exploring. 85+ suggests strong potential. Scores below 50 mean the idea likely needs significant rework or a pivot before it’s worth building.

Question 6

What score did "Cut Your HVAC Diagnostic Time in Half
AI-powered assistant that instantly identifies equipment problems through your smartphone camera and microphone

Point camera at equipment → Get instant diagnosis
Record strange sounds → Identify motor/compressor issues
Works offline in basements and crawl spaces
Built specifically for HVAC professionals" get?

Accepted Answer

"Cut Your HVAC Diagnostic Time in Half
AI-powered assistant that instantly identifies equipment problems through your smartphone camera and microphone

Point camera at equipment → Get instant diagnosis
Record strange sounds → Identify motor/compressor issues
Works offline in basements and crawl spaces
Built specifically for HVAC professionals" scored 87/100 (🔥 Ship It). Stop reading, start building—this is a rare, obvious wedge.