Building Platforms around Human Beliefs
By: Vic Kapur
Tags: Platform, Startup Lessons, Founders, Startup Life, Startup

Building Platforms around Human Beliefs

Human nature craves acceptance and belonging. To be part of something that relates to our beliefs. That is what puts us at ease.

Most large platforms and communities exist as a horizontal layer. LinkedIn for Work. Facebook for Personal. Nextdoor for Neighbors.

​There is an ocean of opportunities to build sizable platforms around human beliefs. Most of these are controversial. Why? Because there ardent supporters and haters for each. Let us look at some examples:

Cultural Values: Ranging from the conservatives to the liberals.

Political Values: Varying from the extreme left to the far right.

Hunting, Fishing & Trapping: One side believes this is part of the human legacy. The other side views hunters, anglers and trappers as animal killers.

Public vs. Private: One set believes in public services infrastructure. The other set believes private is the way to go. A classic example is public vs. private schools, all the way from elementary to college.

Besides these large markets, many smaller segments exist. And there is still economic value in building these platforms. These are only a handful of examples. I’m sure enterprising founders will come up with many more.

Smaller Cultures

Smaller Religions

Smaller Schools Alumni Networks

Two simple methods create platform value:

Identifying and bringing the supporters together on the platform.

Influencing the neutral crowd to become supporters.

For instance, let us imagine a platform for first-time adult hunters. Now, let us segment the market:

Hunters who have already been hunting for a while. They are happy to find a voice through the new platform.

Hunters who are exploring taking up hunting. They will look upon the community to help them ease into hunting.

Non-hunters with a related interest or a cause that appeals to them. For example, conservationists, climate change advocates, nature lovers or wildlife content creators.

Everyone else.

The first is an obvious target market segment. The second could be sizable depending on the influencing ability of the platform. And the third could be huge. There is high economic value in moving the neutral crowd onto the platform.

Needless to say, there is a good way and a not-so-good way to build any platform:​

A good way is not to polarize the non-believers further to become haters.

Human beliefs have complex roots. Best to avoid disturbing them. Keep the platform simple and positive. This combination creates a powerful pull factor for a larger target segment.

As a founder, the key to starting a new platform is to understand your beliefs. And pick the one that you care for the most. The startup journey will get a tad bit easier.​

Let’s Talk: If you have a true experience that resonates, please send me an email.

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