Viktor Hendelmann 
Executive Summary: Rakuten makes money from various internet service portals, personal finance solutions, mobile plans, venture investments, and much more. The business model of Rakuten is predicated on creating an ecosystem around the 70+ businesses it runs. What Is Rakuten? Rakuten, which stands for “optimism” in Japanese, is a technology conglomerate that serves users in … Read more
Netflix has achieved what very few companies on this earth have done before: it has become synonymous with a whole category. While Netflix wasn’t even the first streaming service (that title goes to Hong Kong-based iTV, which launched in 1998), it certainly is by far the most beloved. And although recent subscriber losses and heightened … Read more
Executive Summary: TikTok makes money from advertising, shop commissions, fees from subscriptions, and music royalties. The business model of TikTok is centered around becoming a super app on which users can not only consume videos, but shop for items, play games, and so much more. What Is TikTok? TikTok is a social entertainment platform that … Read more
Executive Summary: The business and growth model of Tinder is based on a freemium approach, meaning core aspects of the app can be accessed at no cost while premium features require payment. Tinder makes money from monthly or yearly subscriptions, in-app purchases, and advertising displayed within the app. First of All: What Is Tinder? … Read more
Executive Summary: Flyhomes is an online real estate brokerage and mortgage broker that allows homeowners to trade in their properties for a new unit. Flyhomes primarily makes money through a variety of fees as well as through interest rates on mortgages it issues. Founded in 2015, Flyhomes is now one of the fastest-growing real estate … Read more
At this point, Netflix certainly doesn’t need an introduction. It has become synonymous with the streaming category after pivoting away from DVD rentals back in 2007. Netflix has since grown into one of the world’s biggest media companies, boasting annual revenues of almost $30 billion. Most of that revenue comes from the more than 223 … Read more
Venmo, with over $230 billion in annually processed payments, is one of America’s most popular financial applications. It has become so ubiquitous that even U.S. president Joe Biden is using it (although that has caused all kinds of issues for the company). And while Venmo has always presented itself as an independent entity, many don’t … Read more
Cazoo is one of the U.K.’s biggest startup success stories in recent times. In fact, it became the fastest company in the country’s history to reach unicorn status. The firm’s rapid success has culminated in its IPO on the New York Stock Exchange back in August 2021 – less than two years after Cazoo first … Read more
Google Glass was one of the first hardware forays the Mountain View-based search giant embarked on. After the early hype, which resulted in Time Magazine naming it the Best Invention of the Year, Google Glass’ fall from grace couldn’t have been more spectacular. Google shuttered the project, which had been solely made available to a … Read more
Executive Summary: Figma is a collaborative design application that allows users to collaborate on projects over a web browser. Figma makes money via various subscription plans for its software products as well as through plugin fees it collects from third-party developers. Founded in 2012, Figma has grown to become one of the most popular design … Read more