Opinion by: Tim Hafner, founder and CEO of OpenServ
Launchpads were created to provide Web3 projects with access to early investors. However, their current operation often leads to cash grabs instead of fostering long-term success. This has resulted in an influx of poorly developed products entering the market without substantial support for their creators.
As of February 2025, Virtuals Protocol has facilitated over 17,000 AI agent token launches, demonstrating that token launch infrastructure remains robust. Nevertheless, concerns about the sustainability and accountability of launchpads linger.
Projects lacking substance are receiving funding, leading to their eventual failure, which highlights a deeper issue within the industry. Launchpads have become empty vessels that fund initiatives without ensuring they have a legitimate product or technical foundation.
Intended Purpose of Launchpads
Originally designed as venues for builders and supporters to connect, launchpads assist new projects in raising funds and enhancing brand visibility while allowing global investors to access promising technologies early. This model addresses a significant gap by easing the process for teams to secure funding and community backing.
As the industry has evolved, this model has exposed its flaws. Many launchpads are fixated on fundraising rather than achieving sustained success. They resemble decentralized Shark Tanks, missing their potential as drivers of innovation. Instead of propelling technical advancements, launchpads have diminished the category as a whole.
The Issue with ‘Launch Whatever’
Numerous launchpads claim to be chain-agnostic, marketing themselves as neutral spaces for protocols to gather funds. This perceived neutrality fosters a lack of focus and standards, transforming them into chaotic environments that hinder the best projects from distinguishing themselves and prospering.
Some believe that innovation should remain unregulated and accessible to all for fundraising. However, without a dedication to legitimate, sophisticated technology or clear guidelines for token design, launchpads become vicious competitions where no one prevails. Investors face a barrage of underdeveloped pitches and fleeting hype cycles, while builders struggle to gather capital with little meaningful support.
Related: Grayscale adds AI launchpads, Solana DeFi apps to Q1 2025 top tokens
This strategy worked for earlier Web3 project versions that emphasized token distribution over long-term viability. Yet, this model is no longer advantageous for the current market. The era of quick wins and low-effort launches is fading. With heightened regulatory scrutiny, the next wave of launchpads must transition from theory to action, committing to only launch projects with actual products.
Need for Enhanced Developer Infrastructure
Most builders handle three to four disjointed tools to deliver a project. They must navigate various elements like backend development, cost management, server hosting, and security measures. It’s no wonder that many promising projects falter before they can truly commence.
Creating a genuine product entails substantial effort. Traditional launchpads have primarily concentrated on helping projects secure funding. Yet, capital alone does not resolve operational hurdles. Builders, especially those without substantial financial resources or renowned backgrounds, need launchpads that provide comprehensive end-to-end support to streamline the entire process.
The core philosophy of launchpads should be: ‘equipping builders with the tools necessary to concentrate on their products,’ rather than forcing them to piece together the infrastructure around them as they progress.
Multi-Agent Support for Projects
In addition to improved tools, launchpads must advance to assist developers in creating truly impactful applications that address real user needs. Rather than merely deploying token contracts, contemporary platforms should establish the infrastructure needed to develop applications with genuine utility, user engagement, and revenue potential.
With 2025 hailed as the year of AI agents, projects will thrive by first creating a robust platform for application development, followed by building a launchpad around those applications. This would generate a cycle where successful applications bolster platform adoption, attracting more developers and fostering network effects of meaningful applications, builders, and users addressing real challenges at scale.
Focusing on Quality, Not Just Quantity
If launchpads aspire to contribute solutions, they must remove self-imposed barriers. They hold a unique position to propel technical innovation, but we will not see improved projects without better resources.
The next generation of launchpads must evolve beyond token distribution to assist builders in constructing superior products. This entails providing comprehensive support throughout the development and growth phases, while also implementing clear incentives and guidelines to align everyone’s interests.
Opinion by: Tim Hafner, founder and CEO of OpenServ.
This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.
