Built NameProof: validating brand names before founders invest in branding
Hey IH đź‘‹
I've been working on NameProof — a tool that validates brand names globally before founders commit to domains, branding, or legal setup.
The problem I'm solving:
Most founders generate 20-30 names with AI (easy part).
Very few properly validate them before:
- registering the domain
- investing in branding
- filing the LLC
And then discover too late:
- the name sounds awkward in another language
- trademark conflicts exist
- social handles are taken
What NameProof does:
24h validation report covering:
- pronunciation analysis (8+ languages)
- domain availability (.com, .ai, .io)
- social handles check
- preliminary trademark screening
Current status:
- Beta pricing: €9 (regular €19)
- Just launched on Product Hunt today
- Zero revenue yet (just went live)
- Built with Make.com automation + AI
Questions for you:
- Does this solve a real pain point you've experienced?
- What would make you trust a tool like this enough to pay €19?
- Any red flags in the positioning?
Honest feedback > fake validation.
Links:
- Website: nameproof.io
- Product Hunt: https://www.producthunt.com/products/nameproof
- Twitter: @nameproof_io
Thanks for reading 🙏
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Love this — discovered the "irel.ai" domain was available only after validating the name worked across languages. Could've saved time with this.
The pronunciation analysis is your real differentiator. Trademark and domain checks are commodities. But knowing your name doesn't accidentally mean something rude in German? That's worth €19.
One positioning thought: target the "about to file LLC" moment specifically. That's when founders are about to commit and have the most anxiety. Your landing page should feel like insurance against future regret.
Micro-SaaS founders are the right segment — we don't have branding teams, just anxiety and Stripe accounts.
Thanks! This is exactly the insight we built NameProof around.
The "about to file LLC" moment is spot on - that's when a rebrand becomes really expensive (not just the domain, but legal filings, bank accounts, etc).
We're positioning it as "pre-launch insurance" for solo founders and micro-SaaS builders. Validate before you invest.
Would love your feedback if you try it: nameproof.io
This solves a real pain, especially for AI-era founders spinning up projects fast.
One thing I’d think about: validation isn’t just linguistic or legal, it’s also demand-side. Some names technically “work” but align poorly with where attention is clustering in a category.
Are you seeing stronger traction from indie hackers launching micro-SaaS, or from more serious startups preparing for funding? The segment focus might matter more than the feature depth early on.
Curious what early signals you’re noticing.
Really appreciate this perspective
You nailed the positioning question - that's exactly what I'm figuring out right now.
Early signals (launched 2 weeks ago):
The challenge: I've been attracting "curious builders" vs "founders actively choosing a name right now."
Your point on demand-side validation is spot on. Some names work linguistically but don't resonate in their category.
Current hypothesis: NameProof works best for solo founders in pre-launch phase (before LLC filing, before domain purchase). That moment when they're about to commit but haven't validated globally yet.
Re: indie hacker vs funded startup - leaning toward indie hacker / micro-SaaS as primary. Funded startups have branding teams. Solo founders don't.
What's your take? Do you see this as a "must-have" for micro-SaaS founders, or more of a "nice-to-have"?
Always refining the positioning based on real feedback like this
Hey! Just following up. Are you willing to do a quick 20 min call where we can go through your market and I can start mapping demand signals?
Your point about the pre-commitment window is exactly right, and it's shaping how we're positioning NameProof now.
Not available for calls at the moment, but if you want to share how you'd map those demand signals, I'm all ears here or at [email protected].
This is helpful context.
Based on what you shared, I don’t think this is a “must-have” for generic indie hackers browsing ideas.
It becomes a must-have at a very specific moment:
Right before commitment.
The problem is timing, not awareness.
Micro-SaaS founders casually exploring names won’t convert.
Founders about to buy a domain, register an LLC, or announce publicly are in a completely different psychological state.
If you narrow positioning to that “pre-commitment window,” the conversion behavior likely changes.
If you want, I can share how I’d map the demand signals around that specific moment.
I am micro saas founder and from my perspective , I dont feel this as a big problem as for me if I solve atleast 100 to 200 people problem its good enough. But definietly for a bigger investment starup with a revolutionary idea or having a nice customer base and knowing their problem if some launches then it will matter to them the most .
No hard feelings :)
Appreciate the honest take
You're right — this isn't for post-Series A startups with established brands.
NameProof is specifically for solo founders and micro SaaS builders in the pre-launch phase.
That moment when you're about to:
You mentioned solving for 100-200 people being "good enough" — I completely agree.
That's exactly my target for the first 12 months.
100-200 paying customers = sustainable micro SaaS.
If you're building a revolutionary idea with VC backing, you'll have a branding team anyway.
But if you're a solo founder validating fast and don't want to discover trademark conflicts 6 months later — that's the use case.
Thanks for helping me clarify the positioning
This comment was deleted 2 months ago.