Startup Model – On Demand Marketplace for Journalists

THE MODEL: An online platform for users to find and book journalists from all over the world. Currently the platform has over 1,500 journalists from 150 countries.

STARTUP: Paydesk (British startup)

WHAT I LIKE

Core Idea – An on demand platform for booking journalists. Users can also search for reporters, journalists, photographers, studio presenters, interviewers etc. using the platform.

Easy to Use – Users can discover journalists by browsing through profiles. Once they find one, they can send a request through the platform. The platform contacts the journalist on behalf of the user.

End to End Solution – The user can use the platform to manage the entire workflow and also pay once the job is complete. Payment is secure, even to far flung locations.

CONCERNS

Market Size – The service is basically for businesses. The size of the market is a concern. 

Business Model – On-Demand

On-demand is a business model which is transforming a lot of Industries. It implies offering a product or service at the click of a button by a user. The requirement is fulfilled usually within a very short period of time.

RATIONALE

Time is scarce. Offering an on-demand service ensures that user does not have to wait for the service for a long time and is generally used for services which are required within a short period of time. The business model leads to a very rich customer experience and revolves around 4 tenants – simplicity, cost-effective, speed and convenience.  

Most on-demand platforms engage local and small entrepreneurs and have been able to foster entrepreneurship at a very local level.

STARTUP EXAMPLE

DoorDash is an on-demand startup offering delivery of food from local restaurants. Advanced algorithms are used to minimize delivery times and costs. Delivery holds good potential for an on-demand startup as the user requirement is generally local and immediate.