15 Best Web3 Startup Ideas
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81.5 billion USD by 2030.
That’s the size of the projected web3 market by experts!
Not only that, web3-based businesses as a total have a revenue CAGR of 43.7% during their forecast period.
As web3 continues to grow and evolve, so too do the business opportunities for new startups.
In this article, I will take us to explore 13 of the best web3 startup ideas for 2023.
Each of these ideas represents a high-profit opportunity that is poised to disrupt its respective industry.
So without further ado, let’s get started on some business ideas!
What are the Best Web3 Startup Ideas?
1. Decentralized Exchange Startup
This startup idea is perhaps the one with the most potential to reach billions in valuation – a Decentralized Exchange startup.
This is one of the more proven business models that have worked for some major players today including Uniswap, Kyber, Bancor, PancakeSwap, SushiSwap, and Trader Joe.
However, building up such a startup can be extremely difficult due to the big players already in the market. That’s not to say that it’s impossible, because the web3 space is still very very new (think the internet in the early 00s)
This type of business offers huge potential for disrupting the traditional financial sector, as it provides greater security, transparency, and cutting-edge technology.
2. Decentralized Know Your Customer (KYC) Startup
Another web3 startup idea worth exploring is a decentralized KYC startup. This isn’t one of the typical business models you see in traditional businesses.
As web3 continues to disrupt the traditional financial sector, regulatory compliance is becoming more and more important. And that’s where a decentralized KYC startup comes in – they help businesses streamline and automate their KYC processes while maintaining privacy and transparency.
Many projects require KYC startups to check, verify, and hold copies of identification documents of their staff team.
This helps to doxx the identities of the staff working on the project so that investors and holders of digital assets in the project will have confidence that it isn’t just a rug pull.
However, the startup will hold these identities and will release them in the case of a rug pull.
Not many startups are in this space and it is always in high demand, even in crypto winters!
3. Decentralized Crowdfunding Site
Out of all the business ideas, this one will take a long time to build but can really target a market that many businesses do not want to venture into.
We are all familiar with crowdfunding sites, but decentralized crowdfunding platforms are relatively new and offer unique benefits over traditional crowdfunding sites.
For example, web3-based crowdfunding platforms can allow users to securely contribute funds without needing a bank account or credit card.
Additionally, web3 projects often involve the creation of utility tokens that can be used within the platform itself, further adding value for investors and project creators alike.
Decentralized crowdfunding platforms offer the ability for creators – from entrepreneurs and artists to activists and social justice advocates – to raise funds without having to pay massive fees or surrender control of their projects to a centralized platform.
This type of web3 startup has great potential for disrupting the traditional crowdfunding industry of well-known brand names like Indiegogo and Kickstarter.
4. Decentralized Matchmaking App
Decentralized matchmaking apps are web3 startups that have been gaining in popularity over the past few years.
However, some have tried and failed to make it a reality, including Matchpool.com, an incentivized matchmaking service.
Rather than connecting users via a centralized database, web3-based matchmaking apps use blockchain technology to establish trust and create a safe, transparent, and fair marketplace for finding love or friendship online.
Since they are web3-based, these apps offer enhanced privacy and security, as well as the potential for users to earn money by referring friends or completing certain tasks.
Overall, web3 matchmaking services have great potential for disrupting the traditional dating industry, which is currently dominated by big players like Tinder and Bumble.
Of course, you can combine artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to enable reasonable matching of date partners and also to catch any cases of data theft.
With web3 technology at its core, these web3 startups have the potential to revolutionize how we find love and companionship online.
5. Decentralized Browser Startup
The web 3.0 space is still very young, and web3 browsers are no exception.
While web 3.0 browsers like Brave, Osiris, Opera, and Beaker, have gained some traction, there is still a long way to go before we see widespread adoption of web3-based applications.
That said, web 3.0 browser startups offer great potential for disrupting the web browser market, which is currently dominated by Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox.
With web 3.0 browsers, users can browse the web in a safer, more private, and more secure way than traditional web browsers.
Additionally, web 3.0-based browsers can enable new features – such as micropayments and decentralized storage solutions – that are less secure on legacy web browsers like Chrome, which is owned by Google.
If web 3.0 browser startups can overcome the many challenges that plague the web3 space – including scalability, interoperability, usability, and more – then there is no doubt that they have the potential to revolutionize how we browse the web.
From there, you can build extensions and partnerships for a business model of your choice.
6. Decentralized Cloud Storage Startup
Web 3.0 cloud storage startups are web 3.0 startups that offer decentralized solutions for storing data online.
While web2-based cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive are very popular and offer many useful features, they are not without their flaws. For example, web2-based clouds can be prone to security breaches or losing data due to server outages.
This is where web 3.0-based cloud storage startups have the potential to disrupt and revolutionize the web2 cloud storage market.
By using blockchain technology, web 3.0 clouds can offer users enhanced privacy, security, and data ownership features that web2 clouds simply cannot match.
Additionally, web 3.0 clouds can enable new types of web services that web 2.0 clouds cannot, such as decentralized storage for applications or web 3.0-based cloud gaming platforms.
If web 3.0 startups can overcome the many challenges that plague this emerging space – including scalability and interoperability issues – then there is no doubt that they have the potential to become major disruptors in the web2 cloud storage space.
7. Smart Contract Auditing Startup
Web 3.0 smart contract auditing startups are web 3.0 startups that offer services to help organizations and individuals audit their web3-based smart contracts.
Smart contracts are a key component of the web 3.0 space, as they enable decentralized applications to function in a trustless manner.
However, writing and auditing web 3.0 smart contracts can be difficult due to the technical nature of these contracts and the web 3.0 space in general.
Enter web 3.0 smart contract auditing startups, which offer web 3.0 developers a range of services for helping them ensure that their web3 smart contracts are safe and secure.
These services can range from code review to bug bounty programs, depending on the needs of web3 developers.
If web3 smart contract auditing startups can continue to scale and improve their services, then there is no doubt that they will become key players in this emerging web3 space.
And with the increased adoption of web3 technologies like blockchain and dApps, the demand for web3 smart contract auditing services is only expected to grow.
However, this startup will require a deeper knowledge of how blockchain technology works.
Nevertheless, this smart contract auditing startup is one of the best business ideas for entrepreneurs and has many business opportunities as it is still in its nascent stage.
8. Blockchain Node Provider Startup
Web3 blockchain node providers are web3 startups that offer web3 developers and web3 projects the infrastructure they need to run web3-based applications like dApps (decentralized applications)
Decentralized web3 applications are powered by a network of web3 nodes, which process and verify transactions on the blockchain.
As such, web3 developers rely on web3 node providers to provide them with the infrastructure they need to run web3-based applications.
Web3 node providers such as Alchemy, Infura, Quicknode, and Ankr are the leaders in the space currently. They provide APIs that blockchain developers in the web3 space can use to power their connectivity to blockchains with close to 0% uptime.
By providing access to nodes on the blockchain as a service, you’ll be helping small blockchain projects scale into larger projects.
9. Metaverse Real Estate Startup
Web3 metaverse real estate startups are web3 startups that use web3 technologies like blockchain and smart contracts to revolutionize the traditional real estate market.
Traditionally, real estate was only confined to physical world assets.
With web3, it is now possible to buy, sell, and rent real estate assets in a completely secure and transparent manner.
A web3 metaverse real estate can look like using web3 technologies such as solidity to create smart contracts, blockchain technology, and front-end web development technologies to create online marketplaces for real estate.
At these web3-based platforms, buyers and sellers can list their properties, find potential buyers or renters, and complete transactions securely on the web3 blockchain.
With web3 technologies making it possible to buy, sell, and rent real estate assets in a fast and transparent manner, web3 metaverse real estate startups are quickly emerging as one of the most promising web3 startup opportunities.
And with the global real estate market currently worth trillions of dollars, web3 metaverse real estate startups have massive potential to disrupt this industry and become extremely successful businesses.
10. Metaverse Event Organizer Startup
This is one of the less-thought-of business ideas on this list!
Web3 metaverse event organizers are web3 startups that assist larger organizations with organizing corporate events in a metaverse of their choice.
This can be both in a hybrid setting with AR and VR or simply conducted in a metaverse digital world itself.
With the rising trend of remote workplaces and metaverse corporate meetings in larger organizations, there is greater demand for such startups to meet the demand for this business opportunity.
11. NFT Portfolio Tracker Startup
NFT (non-fungible token) portfolio tracking startups are web3 startups that help NFT traders and holders manage their collections of NFTs.
One of the major business needs of NFTs is having to manage the scattered projects that have varying valuations across different blockchains in a spreadsheet.
As the floor price and value of NFTs and digital assets fluctuate over time, this can be difficult for holders to track them in real time.
Current NFT portfolio trackers such as DappRadar solves this problem by allowing holders to connect their wallet and track their transactions and current NFT held in real-time.
This can provide a huge convenience for larger organizations or celebrities who own a large number of NFTs.
By charging a subscription fee for monthly usage, you can expect to tap into providing unparalleled convenience for NFT enthusiasts in this business model.
12. NFT Domain Seller/Marketplace Startup
Out of all the business ideas, this is one that has fewer competitors in the space currently!
NFT (non-fungible token) domain seller/marketplace startups are web3 startups that help web3 users buy, sell, and rent web3 domains.
With web3, web3 users can create unique digital identities for themselves in the form of NFTs – called NFT domains.
NFT domains are essentially web3 domains that web3 users can use to build web3 websites and online communities.
By building a platform where web3 users can buy, sell, and rent NFT domains to each other, you’ll be tapping into the growing web3 domain market with huge potential.
Some of the key features that an NFT domain seller/marketplace startup can provide include access to trade and flip NFT domains with a high market value due to their simplicity or a rising trend.
Some popular names in the market now include Unstoppable Domains and Quik.
13. Blockchain Analytics Startup
In the web3 space, many tend to ignore the analytics side of things. That’s because not many see the amount of data that those billions of crypto transactions produce!
By providing a blockchain analytics service, you’ll be providing web3 projects and organizations access to relevant data and insights on the health of their business.
Web3 companies can now tap into using SQL queries to discover data about blockchain transactions of not only their own data but also the data of their competitors. This will help businesses make better decisions to formulate business strategies to tackle competitors.
This will not only provide great help to grow the crypto business in general, but it will also be a great way to charge blockchain companies for a subscription service for monthly usage.
This business model is a fundamental part of the web3 space and will be in demand for the longest time.
A current blockchain analytics player that has gained enough traction and popularity in Dune Analytics.
14. Crypto-Based Content Startup
Crypto-based content startups are web3 startups that help web3 users consume web3 content and media.
This is a relatively new business model with large potential but fewer competitors.
Web3 technology is still a very new and confusing industry to many, and by producing a startup that focuses on producing content for crypto, web3, and blockchain technologies, you’ll be educating the newbies in the space.
If you choose to begin a crypto-based blog, you’ll need to understand how semantic web search works, SEO, and other digital skills.
Education is always the pillar that never gets knocked down when other sectors are hit hard. Why? That’s because crypto education is always ever-evolving and web3 content always needs to be covered.
By building a web3 content platform where web3 users can consume web3 media like videos, webinars, blog articles, infographics, and others in the crypto niche – you’ll be tapping into the web3 content market’s huge potential.
This is one of the few new business models that provide business leaders passive income for years to come.
A successful current player that has gained traction is WhiteBoard Crypto.
15. Crypto Digital Marketing Startup
The web3 space is simply buzzing with exciting new web3 projects and organizations. But how do these web3 companies get the word out about their web3 projects?
Enter crypto digital marketing startups that are web3 startups that help web3 companies market web3 products and services to web3 users.
With many spaces banning crypto ads in real-life malls and advertisements, crypto marketing is getting more difficult.
By launching a web3 startup with a business model of this nature, you’ll be applying crypto marketing strategies to boost the exposure of web3 companies.
You just need a basic understanding of the content creation process and the desire to share decentralized technology content.
What is Blockchain Technology?
Blockchain is a decentralized, distributed digital ledger that records transactions across a network of computers.
It was first introduced as the technology behind the cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, but has since been adapted for various other uses.
Each “block” in a blockchain contains a number of transactions, and every time a new transaction is added, it is grouped into a block with other transactions that have occurred around the same time.
Each block is then added to the “chain” in a linear, chronological order, creating a permanent and unchangeable record of all transactions.
One of the key features of blockchain technology is that it is decentralized, meaning that there is no central authority controlling the network.
Instead, the network is made up of a large number of nodes, or computers, that work together to validate and record transactions. This decentralized structure makes the network more secure and resistant to fraud or tampering.
Another key feature of blockchain is that it is transparent and open, meaning that anyone can view the transactions recorded on the blockchain.
However, the anonymity of the parties involved in the transactions is protected by complex cryptography.
Blockchain technology is being used in a variety of industries, including finance, supply chain management, and the internet of things (IoT) to create more secure, efficient, and transparent systems.
What are Digital Assets?
Digital assets are any form of digital information or data that holds value and can be traded or exchanged. This can include things like cryptocurrencies, digital art, music, videos, e-books, and other types of digital content. They can also be digital representations of traditional assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate.
These assets are usually stored on a decentralized system or database, which allows them to be easily transferred and tracked.
What are Web3 Startups?
Web3 startups refer to companies that are building decentralized applications (dApps) and protocols on top of the Web3 technology stack.
The Web3 stack is built on decentralized infrastructure, typically using blockchain technology, which allows for a more open, transparent, and secure way of building applications and services online.
Web3 startups aim to create new decentralized business models, where the data and transactions are not controlled by any centralized entity, but rather by a decentralized network of users.
Web3 startups are usually working on projects that are related to decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized identity.
Some examples of Web3 startups include companies that are developing decentralized exchanges (DEXs), decentralized lending platforms, decentralized marketplaces, and more.
Final Thoughts
There you have it!
The Web3 space is always growing and evolving at a fast rate. If you decide to work on a web3 startup, make sure you move fast and stay updated on what’s working in the space.
But at the same time, keep working on web3 startup ideas that solve real-world problems and are sustainable, as web3 companies need to grow in order for the web3 space to thrive.
All the best in building your web3 startup and I hope the business ideas gave you some inspiration!
Justin Chia
Justin is the author of Justjooz and is a data analyst and AI expert. He is also a Nanyang Technological University (NTU) alumni, majoring in Biological Sciences.
He regularly posts AI and analytics content on LinkedIn, and writes a weekly newsletter, The Juicer, on AI, analytics, tech, and personal development.
To unwind, Justin enjoys gaming and reading.