In the coming years, a growing number of incoming firms will begin to associate themselves with existing platforms. As platforms allow more products and services to be sold through their networks, they will offer a growing share of products and services to majority markets. In effect, platforms may well end up being the key-holders for some product types in some specific regions.
While the six platforms described in this series are probably the most useful platforms through which incoming businesses may gain scale, the list is not exhaustive. Every firm has its own particular needs. Therefore, incoming firms should not restrict their choice of platforms to the ones described here, but instead seek the platform that best fits their requirements. The important variable to consider include: accessibility and type of information allowed by accessing the platform, the balance of power between platform stakeholders, and synergies between the products sharing the platform itself. In finding the right platform for their needs, incoming firms will maximize their chances of successfully gaining scale, reaping profits and having a positive impact in as many low-income communities as possible.
A version of this posting, co-authored with Manuel Bueno, was published on the NextBillion blog.
