What Is an IDO Launchpad?

Written by
Catherine Andrea Gerdez
Published on

July 31, 2025

Updated on

July 31, 2025

An IDO launchpad is a platform designed to help Web3 projects launch their tokens and raise funding directly from a global community. Through this kind of platform, investors can support early-stage Web3 startups by purchasing their tokens, while founders get the chance to secure capital in a fast and accessible way.

The Value of IDO Launchpads for Founders

For project founders, an IDO launchpad solves a major problem: access to a worldwide audience of investors who are already interested in Web3 and ready to participate. Instead of relying on traditional fundraising channels like Kickstarter or business incubators, founders can reach a niche, highly engaged community with wallets ready to invest. It’s also cheaper and gives founders more control over their launch process.

Why Investors Choose IDO Launchpads

For investors, an IDO launchpad offers a curated selection of promising projects in different sectors, from DeFi to gaming and beyond. It’s like having a front-row seat to emerging trends, with platforms designed to be easy to use and built with strong security measures.

From Vision to Launch: Zesh AI Layer Powered by CoinTerminal

Take, for example, the recent trends we’re seeing today. At CoinTerminal, we’re launching Zesh AI Layer, an AI layer on SUI with over 1.6 million users and integrations with 200+ partners, including SUI, Lumia, and Biconomy. Its ecosystem includes an AI Agent Launchpad and a KOL analytics tool. 

What Is an IDO Launchpad Used For?

IDO launchpads help connect visionary founders with global investors by offering fast, secure, and borderless fundraising opportunities.

A Global Platform for New Ideas

Think of an IDO launchpad as a website where you find a list of projects created by people all over the world. These projects are usually innovative, revolutionary, and deeply integrated with technology.

Supporting Through Token Ownership

When you support a project through an IDO launchpad, you’re not just sending money in the traditional sense. You’re buying a token: a virtual asset that represents a piece of that project. This token holds value and symbolizes your belief in what the project is building and the impact it could have.

Fast, Borderless Support

Because everything happens with crypto, it’s fast and accessible. You can support someone on the other side of the world in seconds, directly and without intermediaries.

Empowering Founders Worldwide

If you’re a founder, an IDO launchpad is where you can list your project and connect with a global community interested in exactly what you’re creating. It’s a place to find support from people who genuinely believe in your vision, no matter where they are.

What Is an IDO Launchpad?

An IDO launchpad is the Web3 equivalent of a business incubator. It’s a platform designed to help Web3 projects launch and raise funds directly from a global audience.

Investors can support projects they believe in by purchasing tokens, while founders gain access to a worldwide pool of investors ready to back early-stage ideas.

How Does an IDO Launchpad Work?

The process works a bit differently depending on whether you’re a project founder or an investor.

For a Project Founder

  1. Project vetting: This is where the launchpad reviews your project to ensure its legitimacy and see if it’s a good fit for their community.
  1. Promotion: Once your project is approved, the launchpad uses all its communication channels: Telegram groups, X account, and other social media to let its audience know about your project.
  1. User registration: When the audience knows who you are and wants to support you, they start registering. Depending on the platform, this might include staking tokens, completing KYC, or joining a whitelist.
  1. Token sale: This is when your project officially launches, and investors can exchange their crypto for your token.
  1. Token distribution and listing: Once the sale ends, users receive their tokens directly in their wallets. Projects are usually listed shortly after, either on a decentralized or centralized exchange, so they become open to the public.
  1. Ongoing support: Some launchpads continue to help projects even after the sale, providing marketing support, partnerships, or more visibility so the token can be sustainable long term.

If you’re an Investor, your process starts at step three. You learn about the project, you decide you want to participate, and then you register. Depending on the launchpad, you might need to stake tokens, complete KYC, or do certain activities to get on the whitelist. 

On launch day, you buy your tokens, and then you choose your own strategy: either hold them long-term, trade them once they’re public, or keep following the project and see how it grows.

What Are the Benefits of an IDO Launchpad?

By using a crypto launchpad as an investor, you support early-stage Web3 projects, and you can get tokens at a discounted price before they’re listed on official exchanges.

As a founder, you get access to a worldwide pool of investors who are already interested in Web3 projects and who will support your project for launch and its long-term success.

What Are the Emerging Trends in IDO Launchpads?

The emerging trends in IDO launchpads tell us which ideas are going to shape the future, not only in crypto but in technology as a whole.

Based on data from CoinLaunch, we selected three crypto launchpads that host IDOs: Fjord Foundry, ChainGPT Pad, and CoinTerminal. By averaging the data from these platforms, we can see which industries are most present in the investments they support.

The data is as follows:

  • DeFi: 35.4%
  • AI & Neural Networks: 25.3%
  • Blockchain Service: 19.2%
  • GameFi: 6.1%
  • CeFi: 3.7%
  • Social: 5.1%
  • Others: 2.4%
  • Blockchain Infrastructure: 2.8%

What this tells us is that decentralized finance (DeFi) remains the core ambition, reflecting people’s desire to move their funds with ease and independence. Artificial intelligence has definitely made its way into the tech world and we can’t imagine the future without it. Blockchain as a service is also crucial, showing that privacy and decentralization must be at the heart of future services.

There are also other emerging trends, such as gaming, blockchain infrastructure, social platforms, and other categories like science, proving that things are evolving rapidly and opening doors to many new possibilities.

What Are the Common Challenges in IDO Launchpads?

The main challenges are the lack of information and how difficult it can be to use these platforms. Within the crypto community, investing in early-stage projects and decentralized finance can feel intimidating. Investors often need to overcome barriers of knowledge and complicated processes before they can even participate.

How CoinTerminal is Breaking Barriers for Investors

That’s why at CoinTerminal, we built our core foundation as an open-access launchpad. This means we have removed barriers for investors; there is no staking, no token gating, and we offer refundable sales. We even have a lottery system, where just by participating in our IDOs, you’re automatically entered into a $5,000 lottery, even if you end up requesting a refund.

For founders, the biggest challenge is getting funding. At CoinTerminal, we have a pool of 620,000 investors from 70 countries ready to support Web3 projects.

If you're building something innovative, we'd love to explore how we can support your journey.. And if you’re a curious investor, you can explore our active sales directly.

Final Thoughts

An IDO launchpad is the ideal platform to support Web3 projects. They offer a carefully selected list of projects that will shape the future of blockchain and technology. These platforms are safe, easy to use, and also a great tool for project founders.

That’s why, if you’re an investor, try our platform. You don’t need to register; you just connect your wallet and support your favorite project. No pre-sale KYC, no staking, no token gating. We offer refundable sales with no questions asked, and you also automatically participate in a $5,000 lottery. Curious to see what's live? Browse our active sales anytime.

And if you’re a project founder, did you know you can raise up to 10 times more money than if you launched through a traditional crowdfunding platform like Kickstarter? Get access to 620,000 verified investors worldwide. Submit your project now.

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only. It is a general guide for founders and users navigating the Web3 space. It does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making any investment decisions.If you want to learn more about raising funds or which IDOs to look into, our team is here to help. Feel free to reach out to us on Telegram at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all CoinTerminal IDO sales refundable?
Most launches on CoinTerminal follow a refundable model. In rare cases, some sales may be non-refundable and will be clearly marked as such.
Why do people use CoinTerminal?
CoinTerminal successfully hosted three 100x tokens in less than 18 months of founding. Over $80M in tokens distributed to users.
Why are so many users joining CoinTerminal?
CoinTerminal eliminates the need for token staking, a key distinction from other launchpads. This open model makes CoinTerminal the most accessible, user-friendly, and cost-efficient launchpad to try.
Why is Coin Launchpad the top choice for so many users?
CoinTerminal delivers on the core promise of launchpads, providing users with access to opportunities reserved for VCs and insiders.With Coin Launchpad, you can participate in presales alongside the biggest names in crypto like Binance Labs, Samsung NEXT, Arthur Hayes, and more.