What's the Biggest Mistake Crypto Startups Make? (And How to Actually Attract Investors)

Starting a crypto project sounds exciting. But in reality, a lot of projects launch with big dreams… and crash just as fast. With so many teams building in Web3, the real challenge is knowing how to stand out—and how to get the right people to back you.

So let’s talk about one of the most common mistakes new crypto startups make:

Building Cool Tech… Without a Clear Purpose

We’ve all seen it. A team spends months building something super technical, but they forget the basics—who is this for, and why should anyone care?

If you don’t have clear product-market fit, even the best tech won’t get you users—or investors. And investors can spot that from a mile away.

Want to Get Investor Attention? Start with This:

1. Know Your “Why”

Be clear about the problem you’re solving. Can you explain your project in a few simple sentences? If not, keep refining.

2. Build a Community Early

Don’t wait until launch day to find users. Start building a following around your vision from day one. A strong, engaged community speaks louder than any pitch deck.

3. Make Your Tokenomics Make Sense

Your token shouldn’t just exist for hype. Make sure it has real utility, aligned incentives, and a sustainable design. Messy tokenomics = red flag.

4. Show Progress

Have a roadmap—and actually show you’re hitting milestones. Even small wins like testnet launches or collabs can make a big difference.

5. Communicate Often

Be present, be transparent, and update your community regularly. Investors love founders who are visible, honest, and responsive.

What Do You Think?

If you’re building on Metis: how’s your experience been attracting investors so far?

For those who’ve been through it—what helped you get funding?

Any big lessons or mistakes you’d want to share with new builders?

Let’s swap stories, help each other out, and make the Metis ecosystem even stronger.

6 Likes

Well said, Rosita :clap:
Too many projects fall into the “tech-first, purpose-later” trap. Without product-market fit and clear value to users, even the most advanced protocol becomes noise.
Start with real problems, build in public, and keep the community close, it’s the clearest path to investor confidence and long-term traction.

9 Likes

Thank you David!

When you stay close to your community and build around what they need, that’s when you get both investor trust and a product people stick with long term.

2 Likes