Physical Product Rubric
1. Problem Identification & Market Need (10 Points)
0-3 Points: Problem is unclear, poorly defined, or does not appear significant. Limited evidence of a real customer pain point.
4-7 Points: Problem is identified and somewhat compelling, but explanation lacks depth, urgency or validation.
8-10 Points: Founder clearly articulates a meaningful problem with a defined customer pain point and demonstrates strong understanding of market need.
2. Physical Product Development & Innovation (15 Points)
0-5 Points: Physical product appears minimally developed, overly dependent on off-the-shelf solutions, or lacks evidence of meaningful engineering. Product functionality, design, or tech differentiation is unclear.
6-10 Points: Physical product demonstrates functional development with moderate engineering and design sophistication. Team shows some understand of materials, manufacturing, prototyping, testing, and system integration.
11-15 Points: Physical product demonstrates strong engineering execution, thoughtful design, and meaningful innovation. Team clearly demonstrates use of industry-standard tools, rigorous prototyping and testing, manufacturability, and potential for reliable, scalable production.
3. Market Opportunity & Business Model (10 Points)
0-3 Points: Little to no explanation of target market, customers or revenue model.
4-7 Points: Basic understanding of market opportunity and revenue generation is demonstrated.
8-10 Points: Strong understand of market size, target customers, competitors, and business model.
4. Traction & Validation (10 Points)
0-3 Points: Little to no traction, validation, prototype development, or customer feedback.
4-7 Points: Some traction demonstrated through prototypes, customer interviews, partnerships, pilot users, or early sales.
8-10 Points: Strong traction shown through measurable growth, revenue, users, partnerships, or validation metrics.
5. Founder Readiness & Team Capacity (8 Points)
0-2 Points: Limited evidence that the founder/team can execute successfully.
3-5 Points: Founder/team demostrates moderate capability but may have execution gaps.
6-8 Points: Founder/team demostrates strong leadership, commitment and execution capability.
6. Scalability & Growth Potential (4 Points)
0-1 Point: Business has limited scalability or long-term growth potential.
2 Points: Moderate scalability potential exists but growth strategy is unclear.
3-4 Points: Strong scalability potential with clear growth opportunities.
7. Pitch Quality & Communication (3 Points)
0 Points: Pitch is unclear, disorganized, or difficult to follow.
1 Point: Pitch is understandable but lacks polish or strong storytelling.
2-3 Points: Pitch is clear, compelling, professional and well executed.