Why startups need an anchor as they pursue disruption

Many unicorns in this space are still trying to figure their path to profit yet traditional players are still thriving with their unsexy models. Thinking different about asset ownership and offline elements that are central to service experiences is key.

Operating in the middle with a simple marketplace or mediator model is not a defensible strategy long-term as you either exist on the patience or cluelessness of an incumbent for whom you are teasing and testing the market or offer proof of value to a newcomer who would then, using a core anchor position, get to bullseye product-market fit much faster.