It’s important to understand that you can prototype so many things using existing technology. In the internet age there are thousands of tools at our finger tips.
Door dash is a food delivery service that launched as a simple landing page with a phone number.
Google sheets is a great place to host a shared database of user generated content. You could use sheets to prototype an early version of something like an ecosystem map of local assets.
Trying to create a niche online community? Start with a Facebook group. Once it gains traction you can build you own website or launch you own app, but start with what you have.
Do you want to share events or opportunities with a group of people? Try a newsletter using Mailchimp.
If you want to create educational content people pay for through an app, why not start with a YouTube channel to test the waters and get some traction?
Before you build your own proprietary technology, think about the pros and cons. With so much out there already, it often makes sense to launch on another platform first. Gain traction, find your users, then gear up for your next leap.