Why Launchpads Are Shifting to DAO Models

[Chawla Solutions]

Modern crypto launchpads are no longer simple platforms where users click an “invest” button and hope for the best. As the market has matured, so have expectations around transparency, fairness, and long-term value creation. This is why many launchpads are increasingly moving toward DAO-based models, turning passive users into active participants.

In a DAO-driven launchpad, the community plays a direct role in decision-making. Token holders can vote on which projects get listed, how funds are allocated, and even how validation processes are handled. Platforms like DAO Maker and Enjinstarter illustrate this shift clearly. Instead of relying solely on a centralized team, they distribute responsibility across their user base through governance tokens, staking systems, NFT access passes, and reputation scores.

This structure significantly improves engagement. When users have voting power and financial skin in the game, they are more likely to research projects carefully and support those with real potential. As a result, the overall quality of listings tends to improve, while low-effort or opportunistic projects face higher barriers to entry.

DAO models also help balance power and risk. Rather than concentrating control in a single entity, governance is spread across the ecosystem. This reduces single points of failure and aligns incentives between the platform, project teams, and investors. Losses and rewards are shared more transparently, strengthening trust.

Ultimately, DAO-based launchpads reflect a broader trend in Web3: communities don’t just fund ecosystems anymore, they govern them. As this model evolves, launchpads are becoming less like fundraising portals and more like decentralized venture networks.