OpenAI 2026 hackathon

Where Did I Put It?

An AI memory companion that helps you remember where you put everyday things.

Solo project by 나 나난 · 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 #7,682 place in the like-ranked listing is a tie-break inside that group, not a ranking.

Projects (log scale)

1
10
100
1k
10k
05,592
11,758
2285
3–4132
5–975
10+14

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

What the company appears to be

The project described as Where Did I Put It? is a self-reported mobile-first progressive web app (PWA) that uses AI image analysis to help users remember where they put everyday objects. The app allows users to photograph items and receive AI-generated location clues, nearby object suggestions, tags, and confidence levels. These are stored locally in the browser without requiring an account or cloud sync.

What changed

The author states this is a hackathon submission for the OpenAI 2026 hackathon. No prior version or evolution is described; it appears to be a new product concept developed from scratch.

Single most important open question

Is there any evidence of user adoption, revenue, or traction beyond the self-reported developer narrative?

Note: This analysis is based entirely on the self-reported description provided by the author. No third-party verification, archived data, or independent sources are available. All claims are treated as stated by the author and not proven.

Back to contents

What The Product Actually Is

The description states that Where Did I Put It? is a mobile-first progressive web app (PWA) built with Next.js, React, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS. It uses Google Gemini for image analysis, with the API key never reaching the browser.

Key features include:

  • Users photograph an item and receive AI-generated suggestions such as:
    • Location clue
    • Likely item names
    • Nearby objects
    • Searchable tags
    • Confidence level
  • All suggestions are editable before saving.
  • Saved records and photos remain in Local Storage (no account required).
  • The app supports a Lost Mode, which presents recent locations in order for users to check if an item is still there.
  • A Still there button allows optional confirmation of item presence.
  • Manual entry works when AI analysis is unavailable.

Inference: The product is described as a lightweight, privacy-focused memory aid that avoids real-time tracking or cloud storage. It is not a commercial product but a prototype or proof-of-concept.

Back to contents

Positioning & Claim Evolution

The author states:

  • The app helps users remember where they put everyday things.
  • It captures the moment when an object was stored without requiring folders, spreadsheets, or notes.
  • It is described as a calm, lightweight memory aid.
  • AI is used to compress visual scenes into grounded memory cues rather than make confident claims about reality.

Claim: The app positions itself as a non-intrusive, privacy-conscious alternative to traditional tracking or note-taking tools.

Inference: This is a product idea shaped by the developer’s personal experience with everyday object loss, not a market-driven evolution.

Back to contents

Target Customer & ICP

The description states:

  • The app targets users who lose everyday objects (e.g., USB drives, earbuds, power banks).
  • It assumes these users are looking for a lightweight, non-intrusive solution.
  • No explicit customer segmentation beyond "users of common household items" is provided.

Claim: The target user is someone who experiences frequent small object loss and prefers minimal-effort memory aids.

Inference: There is no evidence of persona development, market research or user interviews to support this positioning.

Back to contents

Business Model & Pricing Evidence

The description states:

  • No account is required.
  • All data is stored locally in the browser (Local Storage).
  • Manual fallback works when AI analysis is unavailable.
  • No pricing model or monetization strategy is mentioned.

Claim: The app appears to be free and self-contained, with no commercial intent described.

Inference: There is no evidence of a business model, revenue streams, or pricing structure beyond the developer’s own use case.

Back to contents

Technical & Delivery Signals

The project was built using:

  • Next.js, React, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
  • Google Gemini for image analysis
  • Zod for schema validation
  • Local Storage for data persistence
  • Server-side API route to resize images and send them to Gemini
  • No browser-side access to the Gemini API key

Claim: The app is a mobile-first PWA with local-first architecture, privacy-focused design, and AI integration.

Inference: The technical stack suggests a lightweight, installable web application with minimal backend infrastructure.

Back to contents

Traction & Maturity Signals

The description states:

  • This is a hackathon submission to the OpenAI 2026 hackathon.
  • No mention of users, customers, or adoption metrics.
  • No revenue, funding rounds, or headcount are mentioned.
  • The app is described as a complete workflow with editable AI suggestions and Lost Mode.

Claim: The product exists as a prototype or MVP but has no evidence of traction or user engagement.

Inference: There is no data on usage, retention, or adoption beyond the developer’s own account.

Back to contents

Competitive Context

The description does not mention any competitors or similar products. It does not reference existing tools for object tracking, memory aids, or note-taking apps.

Claim: No competitive landscape is described.

Inference: The project appears to be a novel idea within the developer’s own context, with no evidence of prior market presence or competition.

Back to contents

Key Risks & Red Flags

  • No traction or user data: The app is a hackathon submission with no evidence of adoption.
  • Self-reported only: All claims are unverified and based on the author's own description.
  • No commercial intent: No pricing, monetization, or business model is evident.
  • Limited scope: The app is local-first and lacks cross-device sync or account features.
  • AI limitations: The developer acknowledges that AI must be grounded to avoid overpromising.

Inference: The project may not yet have a viable path to market or product-market fit without further development, user testing, or commercialization.

Back to contents

Diligence Questions To Ask The Founders

  1. What inspired the idea beyond personal experience?
  2. Are there any users or early adopters who have tested this in real-world conditions?
  3. How do you plan to transition from a hackathon prototype to a product with traction?
  4. Is there any intention to monetize or scale this beyond the current PWA?
  5. What are the limitations of the AI model (Gemini) in practical use cases?
  6. Are there plans for cross-device sync, cloud storage, or account features?

Back to contents

Investment/Partnership Verdict

The description states that Where Did I Put It? is a hackathon submission and not a commercial product. There is no evidence of revenue, customers, traction, or business model.

Verdict: Not evidenced as a viable investment or partnership opportunity at this stage.

Inference: The project may be an early-stage idea with potential for development but lacks the commercial signals needed to assess its viability.

Back to contents

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.