How to Create a DAO on Blockchain (Step-by-Step Guide)?

  • By : Aashiya Mittal

Finding the right investors and partners is a common challenge for startups and growing businesses. When businesses create a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization), they move away from traditional structures where decision-making remains limited to a few individuals. Such centralized systems often lead to power imbalance, lack of transparency, and slower innovation, making it harder for organizations to scale with trust and efficiency.

As businesses scale, centralized structures may restrict participation and reduce trust among stakeholders. This is where a Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) offers a practical alternative.

A DAO removes centralized control and allows members to participate directly in governance through transparent, blockchain-based systems.

What Is a DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization)?

A DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) is a blockchain-based structure where decisions are made collectively by members instead of a central authority. Governance rules are written into smart contracts, and voting is typically powered by governance tokens.

How a DAO Works in Simple Terms:

  • A DAO is created using blockchain and smart contracts
  • Members join by holding governance tokens
  • Token holders vote on proposals and decisions
  • Voting results are transparent and recorded on the blockchain
  • Smart contracts automatically execute approved actions

Once deployed, DAO rules cannot be changed without community approval, ensuring fairness and accountability.

As of early 2025, more than 2,500 DAOs exist globally, collectively managing treasuries valued at over $30 billion, according to data from DeepDAO.

Also read – Top Enterprise Blockchain Benefits & Use Cases for 2025

DAO vs Traditional Organizations

Aspect DAO Traditional Organization
Decision-Making Decentralized, member-driven Centralized leadership
Transparency Fully transparent on blockchain Often limited
Governance Token-based voting Top-down management
Efficiency Automated via smart contracts Manual processes
Cost Lower operational overhead Higher admin costs
Security Cryptographically secured Centralized risk
Participation Open and permissionless Restricted

 

Types of DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization)

Before you create a DAO, it is important to choose the right type based on your business goals.

1. Protocol DAOs

Used to govern blockchain protocols and platforms.
Example: Uniswap DAO

2. Collector DAOs

Formed by artists and collectors to manage NFTs and digital assets.
Examples: Flamingo DAO, PleasrDAO

3. Grant DAOs

Fund and support innovation through community-driven grants.

4. Investment & Venture DAOs

Pool capital to invest in startups, crypto assets, or Web3 projects.
Examples: BitDAO, ConstitutionDAO

5. Media DAOs

Enable creators and audiences to collaborate without intermediaries.

6. Social DAOs

Communities are built around shared interests, access, or networking.

7. Service DAOs

Operate like digital agencies, offering services governed collectively.
Example: MetaverseDAO

8. Entertainment DAOs

Allow members to influence creative and entertainment projects.

9. Philanthropy DAOs

Focus on social causes and community-driven impact initiatives.

How to Create a DAO on Blockchain in 5 Steps?

A successful DAO is built on four core elements: Goal, Governance, Voting, and Rewards.

Step 1: Define the Goal of Your DAO

Start by clearly identifying:

  • What problem will your DAO solve
  • Who your community is
  • What decisions will members make
  • How decentralization adds value

This step shapes your DAO’s smart contracts, governance rules, and token design.

Step 2: Establish Ownership and Voting Mechanism

Ownership in a DAO is typically represented through governance tokens, which can be distributed via:

  • Token purchases
  • Airdrops
  • Rewards for contributions

Voting power is usually proportional to token holdings, ensuring transparent and measurable governance.

Step 3: Decide the Governance Structure

Your DAO governance model defines:

  • Proposal creation rules
  • Voting duration and quorum
  • Execution methods
  • Treasury access

A clear governance document helps avoid disputes and ensures long-term stability.

Step 4: Set Up Rewards and Incentives

Incentives encourage long-term participation and contribution.

Common reward types include:

  • Governance tokens
  • Stablecoins
  • NFTs
  • Reputation-based rewards

Fair and transparent reward systems help maintain trust and engagement.

Step 5: Launch and Grow Your DAO

After deployment, focus on:

  • Community onboarding
  • Transparency in treasury usage
  • Regular governance updates

Platforms like Discord and Telegram are commonly used for DAO communication.

Also read- The Ultimate Guide to Blockchain Development

Technology Stack to Create a DAO on Blockchain

Layer Tools / Technologies
Blockchain Ethereum, Polygon, BNB Chain, Solana
Smart Contracts Solidity, Vyper, Rust
DAO Frameworks Aragon, DAOstack, MolochDAO
Governance Tools Snapshot, Tal
Wallets MetaMask, WalletConnect
Treasury Gnosis Safe, Multisig Wallets
Storage IPFS, Arweave
Analytics Dune Analytics, The Graph
Security Audits OpenZeppelin, CertiK, Trail of Bits

 

Benefits of Creating a DAO

  • Smart Contract Automation – Reduces manual intervention
  • Community-Driven Governance – Improves trust and innovation
  • Cost-Effective Operations – No intermediaries
  • Global Participation – Borderless collaboration
  • Transparency & Security – Blockchain-backed records

Risks Associated With DAO Development

1. Governance Power Imbalance

Large token holders may influence decisions disproportionately.

2. Security Risks

Poorly written smart contracts can expose DAOs to exploits.

3. Operational Costs

Gas fees and continuous development require budgeting.

4. Legal and Regulatory Uncertainty

DAOs often operate in unclear regulatory environments, requiring expert guidance.

Start Your DAO Journey With OnGraph

DAOs are transforming how organizations operate by enabling transparent, decentralized governance through blockchain technology.

OnGraph offers end-to-end DAO development services, including:

  • DAO smart contract development
  • Governance and voting system setup
  • Secure DAO deployment
  • Blockchain consulting and audits

Whether you are a startup or an enterprise, our blockchain development team helps you build scalable, secure, and compliant DAO solutions.

FAQs

There are several services that specialize in helping individuals and businesses build Blockchain-Based DAOs:

To find the right service provider for building a DAO, consider the following:

  • Expertise and Experience
  • Blockchain Specialization
  • Reputation and Reviews
  • Security Focus
  • End-to-End Support

The cost of building a Blockchain-Based DAO varies depending on several factors:

  • Blockchain Choice: Some blockchains have lower transaction fees (e.g., Binance Smart Chain) compared to others (e.g., Ethereum).
  • Complexity: The complexity of your DAO, such as custom smart contracts, unique governance models, and integration with other platforms, can increase costs.
  • Smart Contract Audits: Independent security audits can be a significant expense, but they are crucial for ensuring the safety of your DAO.
  • DAO Launch & Marketing: Some service providers offer marketing packages to help launch your DAO and grow the community, which can add to the cost.
  • Ongoing Maintenance: DAO management services, such as community management, governance optimization, and system updates, may require ongoing fees.

Yes, many service providers specialize in DAO governance and community building. They can:

  • Governance Design: Help you design the rules and structure for your DAO, including how voting works, how members are incentivized, and how decisions are made.
  • Community Management: Assist with building an engaged community around your DAO through social media management, forums, and incentivization programs.
  • Token Distribution Strategy: Develop a fair and effective strategy for distributing governance tokens to ensure decentralization and broad participation.
  • Facilitate Proposals and Voting: Provide tools and frameworks to facilitate the proposal submission and voting process, ensuring smooth operations and transparent decision-making.

About the Author

Aashiya Mittal

A computer science engineer with great ability and understanding of programming languages. Have been in the writing world for more than 4 years and creating valuable content for all tech stacks.

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