The Marketplace Plus Model Explained | Colin Gardiner of Yonder VC

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.