Opinion by: Tim Hafner, founder and CEO of OpenServ
Launchpads were designed to connect Web3 projects with early investors. However, their current operation often leads to quick cash grabs instead of fostering long-term success. This trend has led to an influx of poorly developed products entering the market without adequate support for creators.
As of February 2025, Virtuals Protocol has facilitated over 17,000 AI agent token launches, showing that the infrastructure for token launches is expanding. Nonetheless, concerns linger about the long-term sustainability and accountability of launchpads.
Projects lacking substance are able to secure funding, leading to failures and highlighting a deeper issue within the industry. Essentially, launchpads have become ineffective channels that fund projects without ensuring they have a solid product or technical backing.
Original Purpose of Launchpads
Initially intended as a hub for builders and supporters, launchpads help new projects secure funding and boost brand visibility, allowing global investors to engage early with promising technologies. This model addresses a significant gap by facilitating access to funding and community support.
However, as the industry has evolved, this model has revealed its flaws. Many launchpads concentrate solely on fundraising rather than fostering long-term success. Consequently, they resemble decentralized Shark Tanks rather than catalysts for innovation, removing their potential to drive technical advancements.
The ‘Launch Whatever’ Dilemma
Many launchpads emphasize their chain-agnostic approach, presenting themselves as neutral grounds for protocols to raise funds. This neutrality, however, can dilute focus and standards, transforming them into chaotic environments that fail to differentiate and nurture the best projects.
While some argue that innovation should be unregulated and accessible to all, a lack of emphasis on quality technology and clear guidelines for token design turns launchpads into cutthroat battlegrounds where no one truly benefits. Investors are inundated with subpar pitches and fleeting hype, while builders struggle for capital without meaningful backing.
Related: Grayscale adds AI launchpads, Solana DeFi apps to Q1 2025 top tokens
This approach worked for earlier Web3 iterations that prioritized token distribution over sustainable growth, but it no longer suits the current market. The era of quick successes and minimal effort launches is behind us. With heightened regulatory scrutiny, the next wave of launchpads must transition from theory to action, focusing on projects with tangible products.
Infrastructure for Developers
Most creators are left managing several disjointed tools to launch a project. There are many factors involved, including backend development, cost management, server hosting, and security considerations. It’s no wonder that promising initiatives stall before they even get underway.
Cultivating a genuine product is labor-intensive. Traditional launchpads have mainly concentrated on assisting projects with fundraising, but capital does not alleviate operational challenges. Builders, particularly those lacking substantial resources, require launchpads that provide comprehensive support to streamline their entire process.
Launchpads should embody the principle of equipping builders with the necessary tools to concentrate on their products, rather than piecing together the infrastructure around them on the fly.
Need for Multi-Agent Support
Beyond improved tools, launchpads must evolve to empower developers to create genuinely impactful applications addressing real user needs. Modern platforms should not only deploy token contracts but also offer the infrastructure to develop applications with true utility, user base, and revenue potential.
As 2025 marks the rise of AI agents, forthcoming projects should leverage a solid platform for application development before constructing a launchpad around those applications. This will generate a cycle where successful applications boost platform popularity, attracting more developers and establishing network effects with valuable applications, builders, and users tackling real issues at scale.
Focus on Constructing, Not Just Fundraising
If launchpads aspire to be part of the solution, they must overcome their own limitations. They hold a unique position to drive technical progress, but improved outcomes will not materialize without better tools.
The next generation of launchpads needs to shift from merely distributing tokens to assisting builders in creating higher-quality products. This entails offering end-to-end support throughout the product lifecycle and ensuring aligned incentives and guidelines for all stakeholders involved.
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.
