How the Nucleus Score is calculated
Every signal on Nucleus carries a Nucleus Score between 0 and 100. The score is a composite of four equally weighted dimensions. Publishing the rubric is part of the product: if you disagree with a score, you can see which inputs to push back on.
The four dimensions
Each dimension contributes up to 25 points. The score is the sum of the four, capped at 100. Scores at or above 75 are tracked as High Conviction; scores of 70 to 74 are the pre-funding watchlist band.
Team Strength
0–25 pointsFounder credibility, operating history, and ability to attract and retain senior talent.
- Repeat founder or senior operator from a credible analogue (+8 to +12).
- Strong technical co-founder with domain PhD or equivalent industry record (+5 to +8).
- Recent senior hire from a larger industrial or software operator (+3 to +5).
- EIC or competitive grant exception; any signal carrying an EIC Accelerator or equivalent competitive award sets Team Strength to at least 14.
Market Timing
0–25 pointsRegulatory, capital and demand tailwinds that make the next 24 months materially better than the last 24 months.
- Binding regulatory trigger within 24 months (+8 to +12).
- Price or subsidy shift already visible in procurement behaviour (+5 to +8).
- Named corporate buyer signalling budget intent (+3 to +5).
Deal Velocity
0–25 pointsHow fast the company is compounding real-world evidence; pilots signed, grants awarded, hires closed, production shipped.
- Two or more verifiable milestone events in the past 90 days (+10 to +15).
- One verifiable milestone event in the past 90 days (+5 to +10).
- Public roadmap with dated commitments and no visible slippage (+3 to +5).
Signal Quality
0–25 pointsHow defensible the underlying source is. Regulator databases and patent registers outrank press releases and blog posts.
- Regulator database, EPO register or CORDIS entry (+18 to +22 floor).
- Institutional grant award (RVO, EIC, NWO, Innovate UK) (+15 to +20 floor).
- Direct company disclosure with named source (+10 to +14 floor).
- Press article or third-party summary only (+5 to +9 ceiling).
Signal Quality floors by source type
Each signal type carries a Signal Quality floor. Floors exist so that a verified regulator or grant award cannot be undercut by weaker supporting evidence elsewhere in the rubric.
| Signal type | Signal Quality floor |
|---|---|
| Grant award (RVO, EIC, NWO) | Signal Quality ≥ 18 |
| CORDIS project completion | Signal Quality ≥ 16 |
| Patent granted (EPO) | Signal Quality ≥ 16 |
| Patent filed | Signal Quality ≥ 12 |
| Spinout programme acceptance | Signal Quality ≥ 14 |
| Executive hire (verified) | Signal Quality ≥ 12 |
| Pilot signed with named buyer | Signal Quality ≥ 14 |
| Press release or news article | Signal Quality ≥ 8 |
The EIC and competitive-grant exception
A competitive grant award from the EIC Accelerator, the Dutch DEI+ or MOOI programmes, NWO, or an equivalent peer-reviewed European programme, triggers an automatic floor on Team Strength of at least 14. These programmes apply independent technical diligence and their award is, by itself, a meaningful signal about team quality; the rubric reflects that.
Bands and what they mean
- 75–100 High Conviction. Strong on at least three dimensions, typically with a regulator or grant-grade source.
- 70–74 Watchlist. Pre-funding band; companies compounding evidence that a round is within 90 days.
- 50–69 Monitor. Early but credible; worth an analyst note in the weekly review.
- Below 50 Noise. Recorded for completeness; not surfaced in primary feeds.
Methodology last updated April 2026. If a score looks wrong, email feedback with the signal ID and we will review.