> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.headstarter.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.headstarter.org/what-is-headstarter/mission/the-value-add.md).

# The value-add

**Decentralized Exchanges (DEXs) and Initial DEX Offerings (IDOs)** are a new concept, pioneered in late 2019, that has become a standard go-to-market practice for Web3 startups with the emergence of DeFi in 2020. \
They provide an invaluable way for projects to access liquidity and launch, avoiding the sometimes prohibitively expensive centralized initial exchange offering and listing model.

**For Startups:** \
Newly launching projects can access the following through HeadStarter:

* Visibility across the Hedera Ecosystem
* Access to decentralized funding
* An early committed user base
* Liquidity provisions
* Enhanced acceleration and support

**For Users:** \
Through our hands-on approach to project launches, with a high focus on project vetting and user interests, we address shortcomings seen in alternative launchpad products. We cater to the advanced needs of IDO Launchpad users by facilitating:

* Access to curated projects and protection from predatory practices
* Being among the first to access the best upcoming projects
* Acting as enabling liquidity, not exit liquidity
* Cheaper transactions
* Secure and ultra-fast swaps and mints
* User-friendly onboarding and swapping experience
* Access to important key information about any launching project
* The ability to buy and move assets between blockchains

Given our support for funding projects in the native cryptocurrency of the Hedera network, $HBAR, we constantly look for ways to extend support for raises in alternative assets such as stablecoins or $HST.