In the digital realm, platforms are like kings and queens, facilitating interactions and taking a cut from the interactions they create. On the other hand, products (like the millions of apps competing on Apple’s app store) might be thought of like the serfs who work the land. The value generated by platforms is the reason that about 60 of the 100 most valuable companies in the world are built on them.

Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, March 20th, 2017