As the first cohort of innovations moved through validation and onto the public registry, a few patterns became clear. First, the strongest submissions were specific. Vague claims of impact rarely survived contact with a validator's questions, while precise numbers and clear evidence moved quickly. Second, local manufacturing and local materials came up again and again as a driver of both cost and resilience. Third, the innovators who engaged most with validator feedback, rather than treating it as a hurdle, tended to end up with stronger, more fundable submissions. We will keep sharing what we learn as more innovations move through the process.