In 2025, being a Web3 founder means far more than launching smart contracts or seeking funding from DAOs. It’s about crafting a new kind of social agreement that spans users, technology, and capital. The landscape is rapidly shifting as we enter the realms of DePIN, DeSoc, and AI—transforming not only the tools and technologies available but also the very way we approach startup creation.
Gone are the days of simply “building a product, raising funds, and attracting users.” Now, it’s like trying to build a skyscraper on shifting tectonic plates, with every aspect—technology, identity, economics, and user experience—undergoing fundamental changes. The founders who succeed won’t just specialize in one area but will be the architects of convergence, combining various emerging trends into powerful synergies.
From Product Development to Coordination: The Role of DePIN
Traditionally, successful companies like Uber, Airbnb, and DoorDash thrived by aligning physical infrastructure with demand, relying heavily on centralized control and significant capital investment. DePIN protocols are now enabling a similar type of coordination, but with decentralized token incentives and community-driven participation.
Startups like Helium, Hivemapper, and io.net have shown how user-owned infrastructure can drive growth. Rather than investing billions in servers, hotspots, or data fleets, founders can incentivize their communities to contribute to building and expanding the necessary infrastructure. This approach not only reduces capital requirements but makes the system more resilient—each new contributor strengthens the network.
For founders, this shift means that your role is no longer confined to building. You must now orchestrate a delicate balance of incentives, hardware, and data flows. In the DePIN ecosystem, the most valuable sales team might be your early node operators, as they are the ones driving network expansion and security.
AI: More Than a Tool, A Co-Founder with a Wallet
Artificial intelligence has evolved far beyond simple task automation. Today, AI agents are integrated into Web3 protocols, participating in DAOs, minting NFTs, and even arbitraging gas fees. These self-learning, multi-chain agents aren’t mere scripts—they are sophisticated entities with composable logic, impacting every layer of the Web3 ecosystem.
Imagine launching a protocol where a significant portion of your user base consists of AI agents acting on behalf of other bots, DAOs, or even whales. Picture treasury strategies optimized in real-time by GPT-powered agents. This isn’t a distant future; it’s already happening, creating new challenges for founders.
As AI becomes a central player in Web3, founders must design their user experience, incentive models, and even API rate limits with both human and non-human actors in mind. Those who can design for both will gain a massive competitive edge. AI in Web3 isn’t just about cost savings; it can accelerate growth and momentum like never before.
DeSoc: Redefining Social Contracts in Web3
DeSoc technologies, such as soulbound tokens, decentralized identity systems, and verifiable reputation mechanisms, are changing the way founders design their projects. In this new paradigm, protocols are not just about providing utility or financial services—they are about building trust.
This shift means that your decentralized application (dApp) will function not just as a utility but as a foundational layer for social interactions. Trust, unlike capital, doesn’t scale linearly, but it is just as critical. If DeFi focused on composability of capital, DeSoc focuses on composability of people, integrating reputation, preferences, and social graphs into every interaction.
For founders, this shift has profound implications on key performance indicators (KPIs). Instead of focusing on daily active users (DAUs) or transaction volume, new metrics—such as reputation-weighted interactions, community engagement, and identity stickiness—will define success. The most valuable users won’t necessarily be your highest spenders but those who contribute rich context to the network.
Modular Capital Stacks for Web3 Startups
The funding landscape has become increasingly fragmented and selective, with venture rounds shrinking and moving slower. However, Web3 founders are uniquely positioned to take advantage of modular fundraising. From token-based community raises to ecosystem accelerators, the capital landscape is diverse and adaptable.
Rather than relying on one lead investor, Web3 founders are now turning to multiple DAOs focused on specific verticals. Funding is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach—it can be customized with smart contracts, milestone-based vesting, and more. In fact, more than $400M in foundation grants were deployed in 2024 alone, and many founders are bypassing traditional equity rounds altogether.
For founders, this means thinking like capital engineers, not just storytellers. If you’re still focused on pitching a standard funding round, you’re missing out on the opportunity to design a capital network that best suits your project’s needs.
The Convergence of AI, DePIN, and DeSoc: A New Terrain for Web3
AI, DePIN, and DeSoc aren’t isolated trends—they are overlapping shifts that are reshaping the foundation of Web3. Together, they form a new operating system for startups, combining the best elements of technology, coordination, and community-building.
Each of these trends introduces its own set of primitives, but it’s the intersection of all three that will drive the next generation of Web3 companies. The future will be built by founders who can ride the interference patterns between AI, DePIN, and DeSoc, mastering the convergence rather than focusing on a single lane.
Closing Thoughts: A Multi-Dimensional Chessboard for Web3 Founders
Building in Web3 today is no longer about working in isolated silos. Founders are navigating a multi-dimensional landscape where machines, incentives, and humans all interact in complex ways. The next phase of Web3 requires founders to master the art of coordination—not just code.
