OpenAI 2026 hackathon

ufo files base

Explore official UFO/UAP records through search, maps, timelines, and connections—all in a fast, source-backed public archive.

Solo project by Sixy_Emerald Li · 0 likes · 0 comments

Archive position — measured, not model output

0 likes on Devpost

2,264 of the 7,856 archived projects have more likes, and 5,592 share exactly 0 — so this project's #7,444 place in the like-ranked listing is a tie-break inside that group, not a ranking.

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Likes on Devpost. ▲ marks this project's group.

Show the figures
LikesProjectsShare of archive
05,59271.2%
11,75822.4%
22853.6%
3–41321.7%
5–9751.0%
10+140.2%
Devpost like counts for all 7,856 archived projects, captured when this archive was built.

Executive Summary

The description states that "ufo files base" is a self-reported project built by one individual (Sixy_Emerald Li) to organize official government UFO/UAP records into a searchable, source-backed experience. The author describes it as an interactive archive with features like search, maps, timelines, and connections between records. It was submitted to the OpenAI 2026 hackathon.

The project appears to be a personal exploration tool built using Next.js, React, TypeScript, and various open-source technologies. It is described as a public archive that syncs data from government sources and preserves provenance.

Key commercial due-diligence question: Is there any evidence of user engagement or adoption beyond the single creator? The description does not indicate any revenue, customers, or traction beyond the author's own development effort.

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What The Product Actually Is

The description states that "ufo files base" is a public archive for official UFO/UAP records. It organizes these records into:

  • Searchable format
  • Source-backed experience
  • Timeline of releases
  • Map view of reported events
  • Connections between records

The author describes it as an interactive place where UFO fans, researchers, and newcomers can explore government records without digging through scattered pages.

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Positioning & Claim Evolution

The description states that the project was inspired by the author's childhood curiosity and a desire to create "a central, interactive place where UFO fans, researchers, and even newcomers could explore these records without digging through scattered government pages."

The author claims it makes official information "easier to access, understand, and discuss" and aims to "spark curiosity in someone who has never explored the subject before."

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Target Customer & ICP

The description states that the target audience includes:

  • UFO fans
  • Researchers
  • Newcomers to the subject

The author notes that the goal is to make information accessible to both experts and those unfamiliar with UFO/UAP topics.

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Business Model & Pricing Evidence

Not evidenced. The description does not mention any pricing, monetization strategy, or business model beyond the author's personal development effort.

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Technical & Delivery Signals

The description states that the project was built independently using:

  • Next.js
  • React
  • TypeScript
  • Static JSON data
  • Vercel
  • Technologies including carto, cheerio, codex, d3.js, fuse.js, github-actions, json, node.js, tailwind-css, vercel-analytics, zod

The author reports using Codex (AI development partner) throughout the process for developing features, debugging, and redesigning interfaces. The project uses automated syncing with manual review processes.

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Traction & Maturity Signals

Not evidenced. The description does not provide any information about user engagement, adoption, or usage metrics beyond the author's own work on the project.

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Competitive Context

Not evidenced. The description does not mention any competitors or competitive landscape.

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Key Risks & Red Flags

  • Single-person development effort with no evidence of team or external support
  • No revenue, customer, or traction data provided
  • Reliance on manual syncing process for data updates (described as "less flashy" but more dependable)
  • AI-assisted development approach raises questions about quality control and human oversight
  • No indication of long-term sustainability or scalability beyond the author's interest

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Diligence Questions To Ask The Founders

  1. What is the actual source of the UFO/UAP records, and how are they being collected and maintained?
  2. How many users are currently accessing the platform, if any?
  3. What is the plan for scaling beyond the current manual sync process?
  4. Are there any partnerships or institutional relationships that support this project?
  5. What are the legal considerations around publishing government documents?
  6. How does the author intend to monetize or sustain this project long-term?

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Investment/Partnership Verdict

Not evidenced. The description provides no information about financial performance, customer base, or market traction that would inform an investment or partnership decision. The project appears to be a personal exploration effort with no demonstrated commercial viability or user engagement.

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Source

Submitted to the OpenAI 2026 hackathon on Devpost. Project home on DevPost.

The analysis above was generated by a language model from the project's own one-line description. It is not independent research and contains no verified traction, revenue or customer data.