DAO Maker (DAO)

Platform and Investment Use Cases

DAO Maker is a launchpad platform that helps retail investors participate in early-stage token sales of blockchain projects. It offers structured investment mechanisms like Strong Holder Offerings (SHOs), where users with DAO tokens can get better allocation sizes. The platform also provides staking options for DAO tokens, allowing users to earn yields and gain voting rights in governance.

Startup Support and Growth

DAO Maker supports new blockchain projects by offering incubation, advisory, and operational services. It helps projects grow their communities through social mining, which rewards active community members with tokens to increase awareness, participation, liquidity, and holder numbers.

Ecosystem and Governance

The DAO token is the native utility token used across the DAO Maker ecosystem. It enables participation in token sales, staking for rewards, and governance voting. DAO tokens also provide discounts on platform services and access to exclusive features.

Additional Features

DAO Maker is developing permissionless, self-managed versions of its products to allow startups to grow and monitor their secondary market involvement safely. It also offers a Venture Bond product, providing investors with a more secure investment option.

In summary, DAO Maker is used to invest in early-stage crypto projects, support startup growth, participate in governance, and earn rewards through staking and social mining.

Advantages of DAO Maker

• Access to Early-Stage Token Sales: DAO Maker enables retail investors to participate in early-stage token sales through Public and Private Strong Holder Offerings (SHOs), which are designed for long-term holders.
• Structured Investment Mechanisms: It uses a share-based system where early and committed stakers receive higher rewards, ensuring fairness and transparency through smart contracts.
• Community and Governance Focus: DAO Maker fosters strong community involvement and governance, allowing token holders to participate actively in decision-making.
• Multiple Services: The platform offers incubation, advisory, consulting, and SaaS solutions to support crypto startups beyond just fundraising.
• Proven Track Record: Since 2018, DAO Maker has facilitated over $90 million in raises and attracted over 315,000 KYC-verified users, showing reliability and trust.
• Innovative Features: Includes staking rewards, airdrop farming, social mining incentives, and tools to reduce risks in liquidity mining.
• Support for Multiple Blockchains: Currently supports Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain projects, with plans to expand to other blockchains.
• Revenue and Sustainability: DAO Maker is a cash-flow-positive, self-funded company with diversified revenue streams from technology products and services.

Disadvantages of DAO Maker

• Entry Requirements: Participation in SHOs requires staking a significant amount of DAO tokens, which might be a barrier for smaller investors.
• Mid-Tier Launchpad: While reputable, it is not as large or widely recognized as some top-tier launchpads like Binance Launchpad.
• Project Selection: DAO Maker focuses on projects with clear roadmaps and utility, which may limit the number of available investment opportunities.
• Waiting Period: The process from project approval to launch can take 4–8 weeks, requiring preparation and patience.
• Not a Hype Platform: It is designed for serious builders and investors, so it may not appeal to those looking for quick, speculative gains.

This balance of pros and cons makes DAO Maker a solid choice for investors and projects seeking a community-driven, transparent, and structured launchpad experience.

DAO Maker Founders

DAO Maker was founded by Christoph Zaknun, who is also the CEO, and Giorgio Marciano, the CTO. They lead the project along with other key team members.

MakerDAO Founders

MakerDAO was co-founded by Rune Christensen and Nikolai Mushegian. Rune Christensen serves as the CEO and has been a key figure in the development of the Maker Protocol and the DAI stablecoin. Nikolai Mushegian was instrumental in designing the Single-Collateral Dai system and contributed significantly to the project before his passing.

Institutional Investors

DAO Maker has 14 institutional investors including SkyGate Digital, Northbund Capital, DFG, AlfaCatalyst Ventures, Bitget, Foresight Ventures (Singapore), Metazero Capital, and Pentos Ventures.

Venture Capital and Funding Rounds

DAO Maker has raised funding through multiple rounds, including a Seed Round with SpendX. It has a total of 33 investors involved in various funding rounds.

Strategic Partners

DAO Maker has 4 strategic partners and customers that support its growth and investment activities.

Investment Focus

DAO Maker supports early-stage blockchain startups and offers retail investors access to vetted projects through its launchpad and Strong Holder Offerings (SHOs). It also incubates projects and provides advisory services.

Leadership

Founded in 2018, DAO Maker is led by CEO Christoph Zaknun and CTO Giorgio Marciano.

Halal Status of DAO Maker

DAO Maker is considered halal because it focuses on providing a compliant fundraising platform and supports early-stage ventures without involving interest (riba) or other non-compliant financial practices. It operates as a growth technology and SaaS platform for crypto startups, emphasizing community building and governance without interest-bearing debt.

Reasoning

Unlike some DAOs such as MakerDAO, which involve interest-bearing debt and are considered haram, DAO Maker’s model does not rely on such mechanisms. It offers services like Social Mining and Dynamic Coin Offerings that align with halal investment principles by avoiding interest and unethical financial activities.