ABSTRACT
Many firms, busy with the digital translation of their existing model, may forget that the advent of digital technologies is also a key enabler of new, different and often more powerful business models such as 'platforms'. Many traditional dating agencies also found themselves replaced by native digital dating platforms such as Happn, Match.com, eHarmony or Tinder. Platform companies are not only creating economic value, but they have also established themselves, sometimes in only a few years, as the best-known companies in the world. Many of the platform-powered start-ups have been able to reach very significant scale without listing on public markets. Platforms are at the heart of the emerging 'sharing economy' since many enable the redistribution, sharing and/or reuse of excess capacity in goods and services. The main categories emerging include platforms to buy, hire, share, borrow or swap a multitude of things.
