Learn how platform businesses like DoorDash, Uber & Zepto grow, scale, and monetise using network effects

What you'll learn

Understand what a platform business is and how it differs from traditional models
Identify key players in a platform ecosystem (e.g. consumers, producers, enablers)
Distinguish between different types of platforms (marketplace, developer, social, media)
Learn how network effects drive exponential growth in platform businesses
Understand the concept of platform liquidity and critical mass
Identify strategies to overcome the cold start and chicken-and-egg problems
Break down the anatomy of successful platforms like DoorDash and Zepto
Explore seeding strategies for launching a new platform business
Apply platform growth frameworks to drive user acquisition and engagement
Compare strong vs weak network effects in real-world scenarios
Design monetisation models including subscription, freemium, and transaction-based
Decide who to charge and who to subsidise in two-sided marketplaces
Understand pricing dynamics and incentives on both sides of the platform
Learn to measure key platform metrics like liquidity, engagement, and retention
Analyse competitive strategy, defensive moats, and evolution of platforms over time

Requirements

No prior business experience is required—course is beginner friendly
A basic understanding of how apps or marketplaces work is helpful
Curiosity about digital platforms, marketplaces, and startups
Interest in strategy, product, business models, or growth
Access to a laptop or phone to watch the course and complete assignments

Description

In today's digital economy, platform businesses are dominating the landscape—from food delivery apps to marketplaces, social platforms, and developer ecosystems. Companies like Uber, DoorDash, Zepto, Airbnb, and Amazon have one thing in common: they're platforms, not traditional businesses.This course is your complete introduction to platform strategy, designed for product managers, entrepreneurs, business students, and tech professionals who want to build, understand, or work with platform-based models.You'll learn how platforms grow using network effects, achieve liquidity and critical mass, solve the cold start problem, and monetize through freemium, subscriptions, and transactional pricing.Through real-world case studies (including DoorDash and Zepto), you'll see how these principles play out in fast-scaling companies.Here's what you'll learn inside:What makes platform businesses different from traditional onesCore types of platforms: marketplaces, developer platforms, content and social networksThe power of network effects and how they fuel exponential growthHow to solve the cold start and chicken-and-egg problemPlatform liquidity and critical mass explainedGrowth and seeding strategies for early-stage platformsFreemium vs transactional monetization modelsWho to charge and who to subsidize on your platformCase studies: DoorDash, Zepto, Uber, and moreDefensive moats and long-term platform sustainabilityThis course combines strategy frameworks + practical case studies to help you not just understand the theory, but apply it to real-world situations. Whether you want to work on a platform, build one, or invest in one—this course is your strategic launchpad.No prior business background is required. The course starts with the basics and builds up to advanced insights step by step.By the end of this course, you will be able to:Design platform business models from scratchUnderstand platform mechanics and ecosystem designEvaluate and compare monetization strategiesSolve early-stage growth and liquidity problemsThink like a product leader in a platform businessLet's dive into the world of platforms—and learn how to build the next big thing.

Who this course is for

Aspiring product managers, entrepreneurs, or startup founders
Business and MBA students looking to specialise in digital platforms
Strategy consultants and analysts exploring platform models
Tech professionals transitioning into platform-based roles
Creators of marketplaces, delivery apps, or SaaS tools seeking a strategic edge
Homepage:

https://www.udemy.com/course/platform-business-strategy-scaling-and-network-effects/