This app allows investors and even community members to find, analyse, invest and control early-stage startups.
This startupMarketplace app is designed for traditional investors and community members owning funds available for investments. It presents very early-stage startups which are suitable for evaluation and if opportune for investment.
The start-ups presented here are typically very early-stage self-funded projects such as stealth startups, bootstrapped startups, indie hacker startups, lifestyle startups, or community-funded startups. The start-ups are typically owned by a founder or a small group of founders. Some, usually a bit more mature, are governed by Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) with ownership reflected by using blockchain technology. For these reasons these startups are very easy to be fully taken over by traditional investors (in 100%) and for example incorporated into their ongoing business activity or even by richer community members and hence these entities can fully control startups future development. DAO governed startups are suitable for both traditional investors and community members which might be interested in owning only a small portion of a startup and have impact on its future development through proposing and voting on proposals.
Startups do not necessarily have to be focused on generating financial revenue. For a startup to have value, it is enough that they do something that contributes to the better functioning of other entities, and even not necessarily financial ones. An example would be some bots, which, despite not generating financial revenue, have a large impact on the efficiency of many organizations, and hence have a real market value and could be a takeover target on this startup marketplace.
1. Stealth Startup
A stealth startup operates in secrecy during its early phase. The company may hide its product idea, team, or even existence to avoid competitors or media attention. This allows for undistracted development and controlled launch strategy.
Examples: xAI, Neuralink (early), Color, Gemini (Google AI platform)
2. Bootstrapped Startup
Bootstrapped startups are self-funded by their founders and often grow using revenue from early customers. These companies prioritize profitability and control, avoiding venture capital and investor pressure.
Examples: Basecamp, Mailchimp, Notion (early), Fathom Analytics, Buffer
3. Indie Hackers / Solo Founders
These startups are usually built and operated by a single developer or a small team. Their goal is independence, profit, and fast development cycles. They often use a “build in public” approach and launch MVPs quickly.
Examples: Nomad List, Remote OK, Buttondown, Read.cv
4. Lifestyle Startups
These startups are designed to support the founder’s ideal lifestyle rather than pursue rapid growth. They focus on niche markets and long-term revenue stability, often with minimal teams and automation.
Examples: ConvertKit, Plausible Analytics, Transistor.fm
5. Community-Funded Startups
These startups raise funds through pre-sales, crowdfunding, or community support instead of traditional investors. This model often includes Kickstarter campaigns or membership-based funding.
Examples: Ghost (via Kickstarter), Obsidian.md, Standard Notes, Tana.ai
| Type | Funding Style | Key Traits | Typical Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bootstrapped | Self-funded | Early profitability, full founder control | SaaS, Web apps, Analytics |
| Stealth | Private or hidden operations | Operates in secrecy, often well-funded later | AI, DeepTech, Platforms |
| Indie Hacker | Solo or small team, self-funded | Fast MVPs, lean operations, profit-first | Productivity, AI tools, Micro-SaaS |
| Lifestyle | Founder-financed, low-scale | Niche focus, sustainable, founder-friendly | Digital marketing, SEO tools, Creators |
| Community-funded | Pre-sales, crowdfunding, memberships | User-supported, grassroots growth | Blogging tools, Note apps, Open-source SaaS |
| Name | Type | Funding Style | Governance | Key Traits | Business Model | Typical Sectors | Human assistance intensity | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retire abroad` | Community-funded | Community-funded | DAO | Helps people to retire abroad. | Receives a commission for services provided. | Tourism | High human assistance itensity is required. Staff is required to provide services online and in each country in which accomodation is provided for customers. | retireAbroad |
| Wall | Indie hacker | Community-funded | DAO | Social media portal. | Receives a commission from advertisers. | Social media | High human assistance itensity is required. Staff is required to provide services online, develop and monitor content, develop bots, etc. | wall |
| Direct messenger | Indie hacker | Community-funded | DAO | Helps people in private communication. | Receives a commission from advertisers. | Communication | No or limited human assistance itensity is required. | directMessenger |
| Broadcast messenger | Indie hacker | Single owner | Owner | Helps people in open communication. | Receives a commission from advertisers. | Communication | No or limited human assistance itensity is required. | broadcastMessenger |
| NextEdge College | Community-funded | Community-funded | DAO | Provides educational services. | Receives a fee from students. | Education | High human assistance itensity is required. Staff is required to provide lectures. | NextEdgeCollege |
| Whiteboard | Indie hacker | Single owner | Owner | Whiteboard services. | Attracts traffic to websites. | Education, Collaboration | No or limited human assistance itensity is required. | whiteboard |
| Swift Picks online shop | Indie hacker | Community-funded | DAO | Webshop services. | Distribution of goods and services. | Trade | High human assistance itensity is required. Staff is required to assist sales and customers. | SwiftPicksOnlineShop |
| Freelance marketplace | Indie hacker | Community-funded | DAO | Fee for supporting freelance services. | Distribution of freelance services. | Services | No or limited human assistance itensity is required. | freelanceMarketplace |
| Advertise | Community-funded | Community-funded | DAO | Fee from advetisers. | Classified adds. | Advertising | No or limited human assistance itensity is required. | advetise |
| Generate service page | Community-funded | Community-funded | DAO | Man per hour services. | Fee from advertisers. | Services | No or limited human assistance itensity is required. | generateServicePage |
Contact startupMarketplace for any questions Email us office@umbrellapps.ovh