Bitcoin-native crowdfunding platform Geyser has recently unveiled a new feature called the Bitcoin Launchpad, aimed at providing early-stage Bitcoin projects with visibility prior to their official launch. This innovative mechanism shifts the focus from immediate fundraising to community engagement thresholds.
The Launchpad operates by requiring projects to start as draft listings in a public stream for 30 days. During this period, they cannot receive funding and must gather at least 21 followers to unlock full campaign functionality. Once the threshold is met, Geyser notifies the followers and converts the listing into a standard fundraising page.
This approach reframes the initial challenge in Bitcoin crowdfunding from raising capital to garnering attention. To expedite the process, creators have the option to pay a $21 BTC fee upfront or after an unsuccessful 30-day cycle. Geyser applies a standard 5 percent platform fee, which can be waived for users who self-host a Lightning node.
In 2024, Geyser hosted over 1,050 projects, processed 22,000 transactions, and facilitated approximately $708,000 in funding. The platform also moved around 30 BTC across more than 50,000 contributors in its first two years.
The Launchpad design draws inspiration from Kickstarter’s “Notify me on launch” feature but integrates it as a prerequisite rather than an optional step. By requiring creators to secure followers before accessing capital, Geyser aims to filter out low-signal campaigns and favor those capable of mobilizing micro-communities.
Compared to traditional platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe, Geyser stands out with its non-custodial Bitcoin Lightning infrastructure. Reward-based campaigns on Geyser reportedly perform 3.3 times better than donation-only campaigns. The platform’s top-performing project, Bitcoinize POS Machine, raised 3.5 BTC, equivalent to approximately $230,000 at 2024 BTC prices.
Geyser’s Launchpad does not alter payment infrastructure but reimagines campaign qualification around measurable social traction. By introducing a social threshold before monetization, the platform emphasizes filtering for audience demand rather than just raw capital access.
As Geyser aims for financial self-sufficiency by 2026, the Launchpad serves as a structured entry point for creators and a new revenue stream for the company. The platform plans to provide updates on the success metrics of the initial Launchpad cohort in May and integrate features like Nostr direct messaging for campaign communications and backer interaction in the second half of 2025.
Founded in 2022 in Sheridan, Wyoming, Geyser operates as a remote-first company with a team spanning the U.S., Greece, and Portugal. Early-stage venture support was received from Lightning Ventures and MX2 Capital. Revenue sources for Geyser include platform fees, creator boosting options, Guardians membership subscriptions, and Launchpad fast-track payments.