Platform Variety

November 08, 2023

Read The Full Prompt

Digital technologies give rise to a variety of platforms. Think about how iTunes makes apps available for iPhone users or Match.com helps those seeking partners.

For this assignment, please pick ONE of the following two options:

1) Identify a firms that operates a platform. Describe how it creates and capture value, and evaluate its scalability and sustainability.  To make it interesting, please stay away from well-known platforms such as those owned by Amazon, Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, and Netflix.

2) Identify a firm that tried to work with a platform (e.g., Epic on the Apple platform, or Zynga on the Facebook platform). Describe the opportunities and challenges in this firm’s journey as it tried to create and capture value. Again, evaluate its sustainability.

In both cases, stress the strategy for value creation, but feel free to make observations about aspects of value capture.

750 words max

Assignment

Create an approximately 750-word post. Make your contribution by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8.

Please use graphics, data, videos, and links to other sites to corroborate your points. These additional links do not count against your word limit.

Please also comment on three other posts. Comments are due by 9 a.m. on November 9.

Selected posts will be discussed in class. Please prepare a 2-3 min summary of your blog post before class.

If you have any problems with the d3.harvard.edu platform, please and visit the digital platform resources page for helpful advice. or email d3@harvard.edu for help.

Submitted (15)

Trading for the People: Robinhood’s Market Revolution
Wabantu Hlophe
Posted on November 6, 2023 at 11:21 pm
Step into the high-stakes realm of Robinhood, the app that's revolutionizing trading with its bold no-fee approach. Get a glimpse into an app that's not just changing the game—it's rewriting the rules of finance!
Bumble – More than Just a Dating App
cs24
Last modified on November 6, 2023 at 5:03 pm
Bumble has transitioned from being a dating app to being a platform that provides a broader set of connections, merchandise, educational pieces, and even their own cafe storefront
Redefining Car Rentals: A Deep Dive into Turo’s Peer-to-Peer Platform
Carmen Edwards
Last modified on November 6, 2023 at 1:44 pm
Exploring how Turo is revolutionizing the car rental industry by turning your parked car into cash.
AptDeco’s Phygital Platform for Sustainable Interior Design
EleanorM
Last modified on November 7, 2023 at 10:48 am
Sell your furniture in 10 days or less, guaranteed (almost)!
Weee! The $4B Go-to Ethic E-Glocer
Sam Wang
Last modified on November 7, 2023 at 5:11 pm
Over the year, Weee! has created incredible values as the Go-To ethic E-glocer in the U.S.
Toast Inc, The Restaurant POS and Management Platform
Ben P
Posted on November 2, 2023 at 6:31 pm
Providing a fully integrated tech platform for restaurants to cover all aspects of their business and drive retention
Fiverr: Scaling Productized Services
Sreeni
Posted on November 7, 2023 at 3:31 pm
Fiverr is a marketplace of services that connects freelancers (sellers) to people or businesses looking to hire (buyers).
Hungry? Lazy? DoorDash is the one-stop solution to your problems.
Asra Khan
Last modified on November 7, 2023 at 6:55 pm
From personal deliveries to a $68.9 billion impact on the U.S. GDP. Discover how DoorDash's data-driven approach and revenue model have shaped the food-delivery giant's success.
Jumia – Ecommerce in Africa
A.D
Last modified on November 7, 2023 at 6:02 pm
Jumia's attempt to become the Amazon of Africa
Little Red Book, an EVERYTHING app for GenZ people in China
Serena Fang
Last modified on November 7, 2023 at 3:41 pm
Described as an “Instagram-meets-Pinterest-meets-Amazon” platform, Little Red Book has become one of the most popular social media apps in China in recent years.
StockX: the price of trust
dwang
Posted on November 7, 2023 at 5:53 pm
Stomping out fakes on the path to profits.
Databricks: securing and monetizing data estates
Ankit Tandon
Last modified on November 8, 2023 at 12:23 am
Building the one-stop-shop for buliding, managing, and monetizing data and AI
Clickworker: From Gigwork to AI Training Data
RuruH
Posted on November 8, 2023 at 12:24 am
Embrace the power of collaboration with Clickworker! 🌐 Connect with a global workforce to tackle tasks efficiently and unlock endless possibilities. 💼💡
ROBLOX – The future of Entertainment industry?
Mellissa Kim OConnor
Posted on November 8, 2023 at 11:53 am
Advancements in generative AI and large language models are revolutionizing the entertainment sector by enabling audiences to immerse themselves in the personas and adventures of their most cherished characters.
Fivver’s Fight to Stay Relevant and Atlassian’s Fight to Stay Organized-A Study of Platforms.
Aliza Ohnouna
Posted on November 8, 2023 at 3:34 am
Fivver, the du jour freelancing platform, offers an interesting glimpse into how people who thrive in the gig economy, can flourish using a service that imposes more structure than the average freelancer might prefer.