> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://whitepaper.surge.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://whitepaper.surge.xyz/discovery/identity-and-discovery-engine/list-a-project-on-surge.md).

# List a project on Surge

To be discovered by high-tier backers, founders must complete a rigorous profile setup that builds immediate community trust.

Founders can start with a "**Quick** **Mode**" draft, but unlocking the platform's full potential requires completing the **Full** **Profile**. 

***Projects with complete profiles receive significantly more Ignites and investor attention.***

**The Setup Pipeline:**

1. **Identity** & **Vision**: Establish the core narrative, select the sector (e.g., AI, DeFi, SaaS), and declare the current development stage (Idea to Live Product).
2. **Dev** **Info** & **Tech** **Stack**: Transparently list the AI coding tools (e.g., Cursor, Bolt.new) and the primary tech stack being used to build the product.
3. **Media** & **Docs**: Upload a PDF Pitch Deck, a Whitepaper, and a mandatory YouTube Video Pitch (2-5 minutes) that explains the core problem and solution.
4. **Verified** **Socials**: Connect X (Twitter) and GitHub via OAuth to prove absolute ownership of the associated accounts.
5. **Team Verification**: Add co-founders and team members strictly via their unique Surge User IDs, ensuring every team member is a verified platform user.
6. **The** **Roadmap**: Outline upcoming quarters and concrete deliverables to prove execution capabilities and set public expectations.
7. **Revenue** **Verification**: Plug in financial APIs to prove real-world traction (detailed below).
8. **User** **Data** **Integration**: Plug in analytic APIs to prove real-world usage (detailed below).

### **The Verified Traction Layer**

This is where Surge Discovery completely separates itself from legacy platforms. Investors do not want to see a chart made in Figma; they want raw data.

The Verified Traction Layer allows founders to connect third-party platforms directly to their Surge profile using restricted, Read-Only API keys. This automatically pulls live, immutable metrics directly onto the project card, effectively automating the investor due diligence process.

* **Revenue**: Connect Stripe to display verified Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) or Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR).
* **Users**: Connect Google Analytics (via JSON Service Account) or Mixpanel to display verified Daily Active Users (DAU) and traffic growth.
* **Web3** **Data**: Connect DeFiLlama to verify Total Value Locked (TVL) for decentralized protocols. (soon)
* **Development** **Activity**: Connected GitHub repositories pull in commit frequency and developer activity, proving the code is actively maintained.

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