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The Leaderboard
January 17th, 2025
What VCs look for

Happy Friday legends! For the last time this week, it's time to settle in, pour yourself a fresh cup, and read the Leaderboard. In today's issue: A tool that shows if your product is VC ready, a new app blocker from Raycast, and an API that makes building event platforms a breeze. Let's dive in.

Do this before you raise

SaaS Blueprint: See your business through the eyes of a VC.

I didn’t expect much from SaaS Blueprint—most tools claiming to prep founders feel generic. But this one’s different. It asks thoughtful, non-obvious questions to truly benchmark your standing, with the option to skip straight to results if you’re in a rush. The UX is seamless, and the exportable PDF is perfect for first-time founders seeking funding. You can even pitch the firm directly, making it a clever alternative to the YC application.

Distractions be gone

Raycast Focus: Stay in flow by blocking distracting apps and websites

I’ve been a big fan of Raycast—especially their Notes app—so I was curious about Raycast Focus. Distraction blockers aren’t new, but they’re often too clunky or harsh. This one gets it right. Set a goal, pick a duration, and block the noise—it’s that simple. The natural language timing and customizable categories feel intuitive, and the snooze option is perfect for when life inevitably interrupts. It’s less about shutting you down and more about nudging you back to what matters.

An API for the world

Wander: Event distribution API

Wander is a real-time event distribution API that lets you access monetized events across Europe and plug them into your platform. The app currently supports Ticketmaster and Fever, among others, and lets its partners earn commissions on ticket sales generated from the API. I could see an API like this helping event apps like Meetup or Resident Advisor remain useful in lots of different locations — rather than just in those where their users or editorial staff are most active.

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