The Marketplace Plus Model Explained | Colin Gardiner of Yonder VC | Run the Numbers

In this episode of the "Run the Numbers" podcast, host CJ interviews Colin Gardiner, a general partner at Yonder VC, about marketplace startups. Colin shares his experiences from Outdoorsy, an RV rental marketplace, and introduces his "Marketplace Plus" model, which involves integrating SaaS, FinTech, or other services to enhance liquidity and user retention. The discussion covers the importance of specificity in marketplaces, monetization strategies including take rates and advertising, and the balance between bolt-on services and fully managed models. Colin also touches on the impact of AI on distribution and matchmaking, and the evolving dynamics of supply and demand in marketplaces.

Outlines

Part 1: Introduction to Marketplaces

Part 2: Expanding the Marketplace Model

Part 3: AI and Future Trends

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The Marketplace Plus Model Explained | Colin Gardiner of Yonder VC

Run the Numbers

Part 1: Introduction to Marketplaces

Introduction to Marketplaces and Yonder VC

RV Marketplace Specifics and the Importance of Specificity

The Marketplace Plus Model: SaaS Integration

OpenTable Example and the Professionalization of Marketplaces

Focusing on Professional RV Rentals and Enabling Scale

Part 2: Expanding the Marketplace Model

Expanding the Plus Model: Financing and Avoiding Fully Managed Models

Marketplace vs. Brokerage and Setting the Initial Take Rate

Charging Both Sides and the Role of Advertising

Demand Aggregation and the Potential of Facebook Marketplace

Part 3: AI and Future Trends

Distribution Changes in an AI-Driven World

AI Agents and the Future of Matchmaking

Gross Margins and the Economics of Marketplaces

Prioritizing Supply or Demand and Concluding Remarks

The Marketplace Plus Model Explained | Colin Gardiner of Yonder VC

Run the Numbers

Part 1: Introduction to Marketplaces

00:00Introduction to Marketplaces and Yonder VC

Introduction to Marketplaces and Yonder VC

07:10RV Marketplace Specifics and the Importance of Specificity

RV Marketplace Specifics and the Importance of Specificity

12:21The Marketplace Plus Model: SaaS Integration

The Marketplace Plus Model: SaaS Integration

16:12OpenTable Example and the Professionalization of Marketplaces

OpenTable Example and the Professionalization of Marketplaces

21:22Focusing on Professional RV Rentals and Enabling Scale

Focusing on Professional RV Rentals and Enabling Scale

Part 2: Expanding the Marketplace Model

25:12Expanding the Plus Model: Financing and Avoiding Fully Managed Models

Expanding the Plus Model: Financing and Avoiding Fully Managed Models

30:38Marketplace vs. Brokerage and Setting the Initial Take Rate

Marketplace vs. Brokerage and Setting the Initial Take Rate

34:32Charging Both Sides and the Role of Advertising

Charging Both Sides and the Role of Advertising

37:32Demand Aggregation and the Potential of Facebook Marketplace

Demand Aggregation and the Potential of Facebook Marketplace

Part 3: AI and Future Trends

41:53Distribution Changes in an AI-Driven World

Distribution Changes in an AI-Driven World

44:45AI Agents and the Future of Matchmaking

AI Agents and the Future of Matchmaking

48:43Gross Margins and the Economics of Marketplaces

Gross Margins and the Economics of Marketplaces

53:04Prioritizing Supply or Demand and Concluding Remarks

Prioritizing Supply or Demand and Concluding Remarks