What Polkastarter does

Polkastarter is a decentralized protocol for cross-chain token pools and auctions, operating as a Web3 launchpad that enables blockchain projects to raise capital through Initial Decentralized Offerings (IDOs) while distributing tokens to a community of 50,000+ POLS holders. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, the platform serves two primary customer segments: Web3 projects seeking fundraising and community-building infrastructure, and crypto-native investors seeking early access to token launches gated by a POLS Power mechanism earned through staking or liquidity provision on Uniswap and PancakeSwap. The company also operates the Polkastarter Marketplace, an on-chain venue for trading authenticated rare collectibles, and has expanded into an AI-themed ecosystem with PolkaTrader, an AI-powered trading hub, and a planned POLS Ethereum Layer 2 designed for AI-native applications.

The platform's technology stack centers on the POLS utility token (circulating supply of approximately 99.2 million) and integrates cross-chain bridging through Axelar infrastructure and audited smart contracts via CoinTerminal. Distribution is unusually broad for a small-cap launchpad: POLS is listed on over 20 primary markets including Coinbase, Kraken, Revolut, HTX, KuCoin, Bitvavo, Gate.io, and MEXC, with the Revolut listing reaching users across 198 countries. The Polkastarter Council includes OKX, Alchemy, Polygon, and HTX as strategic partners providing infrastructure and ecosystem support.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: IDO launch fees paid by projects, marketplace commissions on collectible trades, and staking-related economics tied to POLS Power. IDO raise sizes observed range from $50,000 to $150,000 per project, and recent AI-themed IDOs have delivered reported all-time-high returns of 784% to 1387%. The company is privately held, raised $875,000 in a 2020 seed round led by Moonrock Capital, and has not disclosed follow-on funding or revenue figures. Leadership includes co-founders Miguel Leite and Tiago Martins (CTO), CMO Yan Ketelers, and CEO Emanuil Pavlov, with Hatu Sheikh engaged as a financial advisor.

Name

Polkastarter

Legal name

Polkastarter

Website

https://polkastarter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Polkastarter is a decentralized Web3 launchpad protocol that enables blockchain projects to raise capital through IDOs, serving crypto-native investors with its 50,000+ POLS token holder base and cross-chain token distribution across 20+ exchanges.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Decentralized Crypto Launchpad

NAICS

Other Gambling Industries (713290)

SIC

Security & Commodity Brokers, Dealers, Exchanges & Services (6200)

akta.pro primary industry

Launchpads, IDOs & Token Distribution via DEXs (FSADABAL)

Keywords

• Decentralized launchpad platform
• Crypto fundraising protocol
• Cross-chain token pools
• Web3 token offerings
• Authenticated collectibles marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisbon

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. IDO Launch Fees: Projects launching on Polkastarter pay fees for the IDO launch service, including allowlist management, token distribution, and community access.
2. Marketplace Trading: The Polkastarter Marketplace charges fees on collectible trades including trading cards, video games, and other authenticated items.
3. Staking Ecosystem: Users stake POLS tokens to gain IDO participation rights, with tokens locked for specified periods contributing to platform ecosystem value.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Polkastarter operates a decentralized launchpad protocol enabling Web3 projects to raise capital through Initial Decentralized Offerings (IDOs), distributing tokens to a community of 50,000+ POLS holders gated by POLS Power staking. The platform additionally operates an on-chain collectibles marketplace for authenticated rare cards, video games, and iconic collectibles, with the POLS native token serving as the ecosystem utility and governance asset listed on 20+ primary markets.

Product overview

Polkastarter is a multi-product Web3 ecosystem consisting of: (1) the Core Launchpad platform for Initial Decentralized Offerings (IDOs) enabling Web3 projects to raise capital and grow communities, (2) the Polkastarter Marketplace for trading authenticated collectibles on-chain, (3) the POLS Token serving as the native utility token for staking, governance, and ecosystem participation, (4) Staking and Bridge modules for token management and cross-chain operations, (5) PolkaTrader for AI-powered trading insights, and (6) POLS Layer 2 - an Ethereum Layer 2 built for AI-native applications enabling data ownership and autonomous on-chain execution. The ecosystem connects young projects with early community members through token launches while providing collectibles trading and AI-driven trading infrastructure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Polkastarter Marketplace: The Home of Legendary Collectibles - a marketplace for rare trading cards, video games and iconic collectibles authenticated and on-chain.
• POLS
• PolkaTrader

Products and services

• Polkastarter Launchpad Decentralized protocol enabling Web3 projects to raise capital and grow community through Initial Decentralized Offerings (IDOs), distributing tokens to a 50,000+ holder community gated by POLS Power.
• Polkastarter Marketplace On-chain marketplace for discovering, collecting, and trading rare trading cards, video games, and iconic collectibles with authentication and secure escrow.
• POLS Token Native utility token of the Polkastarter ecosystem, providing access to IDO allocations, staking rewards (POLS Power), and marketplace benefits. Designed as an Ethereum Layer 2 for AI-native applications.
• PolkaTrader AI-powered trading hub by POLS Labs offering Polkastarter users real-time insights, automation, and exclusive access with $POLS, unifying fragmented Web3 trading data with cross-chain transparent trading insights.
• POLS Layer 2 Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain designed as AI-native infrastructure for continuous execution, scalability, and user-aligned performance, enabling data ownership, AI agents on-chain, and a decentralized data economy.

Quantifiable outcome

• IDO projects delivering 784%-1387% all-time high returns
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CoinTerminalcoreTechnology or IntegrationPolkastarter partnered with CoinTerminal for smart contract security, implementing secure cross-chain token transfers using Axelar infrastructure to ensure safe, audited, and scalable multi-chain operations.
• OKXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOKX is part of the Polkastarter Council, providing strategic guidance and ecosystem support for the platform.
• AlchemycoreTechnology or IntegrationAlchemy is part of the Polkastarter Council, providing blockchain infrastructure and developer tools support.
• PolygoncoreTechnology or IntegrationPolygon is part of the Polkastarter Council, providing blockchain infrastructure support for the ecosystem.
• HTXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHTX is part of the Polkastarter Council and a key exchange listing partner for POLS token.
• Hatu SheikhminorOthersPolkastarter partnered with Hatu Sheikh to navigate crypto's shift from hype to sustainable infrastructure, focusing on diversified revenue, resilient treasury management, and long-term growth.
• AxelarcoreTechnology or IntegrationAxelar infrastructure powers Polkastarter's cross-chain token transfers for secure multi-chain operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Seedify.fund: Launchpad specialized in gaming and GameFi IDOs, with staking-based allocation mechanics similar to Polkastarter's POLS Power system. Competes for both projects and crypto-native investor mindshare.
• BSCPad: BNB Chain-native decentralized launchpad running tiered IDOs with staking-based allocation. Competes directly with Polkastarter in the multi-chain launchpad category.
• Poolz Finance: Cross-chain decentralized launchpad and IDO platform. Overlaps with Polkastarter on cross-chain token pool auctions and project fundraising mechanics.
• Enjinstarter: IDO launchpad built on the Enjin ecosystem with a focus on gaming and metaverse projects. Comparable to Polkastarter's gaming vertical and gam3s.gg subdomain.
• TrustPad: Multi-chain decentralized launchpad operating tiered IDOs and staking pools. Closely mirrors Polkastarter's IDO + staking architecture.
• Avalaunch: Avalanche-native launchpad running IDOs and token sales with staking-based allocation. Comparable to Polkastarter in mechanics but focused on a single chain ecosystem.
• DAO Maker: One of the longest-running decentralized launchpads offering IDOs, tokenomics design, and project incubation. Directly competes with Polkastarter for project launches and investor allocation.

Broad incumbents

• Binance Launchpad: Launchpad operated by the largest centralized exchange. Competes with Polkastarter for top-tier token launches but with vastly deeper liquidity and distribution.
• CoinList: Regulated token sale and distribution platform for early-stage crypto projects. Overlaps with Polkastarter on fundraising and community distribution for Web3 startups.

Emerging players

• GameFi launchpads (e.g., Red Kite): Gaming-focused IDO launchpads with comparable mechanics to Polkastarter's gaming vertical. Compete for GameFi founders and token allocations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/polkastarter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/polkastarter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors6 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments14 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Polkastarter