Lesson 2: introduction to (digital) business models
What is a (digital) business model?
Business model:
strategic framework that outlines how an organization:
• Creates value
• Delivers value
• Captures value
• Essential for guiding decision-making and innovation
Key elements:
• Value proposition
• Revenue model
• Value chain
• Profit explanation
• Business transactions
• Collaborative transactions
• Network
• Business structure
• Future planning
• Network structure
• Simplified method and value capturing!
Business model vs. digital business model
Digital business model:
Integration of digital technologies
-> value creation mechanisms
- Dynamic environments
- High competition
- IT-based processes, digital platforms and multiple value-creation strategies
- Business processes: rapid adaptation and continuous innovation
Traditional business model:
Focus on fundamental ways a company generates value
- Stable environments
- Limited competition
- Rely on physical assets and direct value delivery
- Business processes: static and predictable
1
,Examples: mobility & transportation
Traditional business model: TAXI
- Centralized operations with owned fleet and licensed drivers
- Fixed pricing and limited scalability
- Customer interaction through phone or street hailing
Digital business model: UBER
- Decentralized platform with freelance drivers
- Dynamic pricing and high scalability
- App-based, real-time booking with personalized experience
Examples: smart energy & cleantech
Traditional business model: CONVENTIONAL HEATING SYSTEM
- Manual temperature control with limited automation
- Revenue from hardware sales and installation services
- No remote monitoring or optimization
Digital business model: NEST (smart home heating system)
- AI-driven, app-based control with real-time data and remote management
- Revenue from hardware sales, subscriptions, and energy-saving partnerships
- Personalized energy optimization and integration with smart home ecosystems
2
,Examples: healthTech/digital health
Traditional business model: PRIVATE PRACTICE THERAPY
- Face-to-face sessions in physical offices
- Revenue from session-based fees or insurance coverage
- Limited accessibility and availability
Digital business model: ONLINE THERAPY PLATFORM
- Virtual therapy through video, chat, or messaging
- Subscription-based revenue model
- 24/7 accessibility, global reach, and personalized therapist matching
Examples: finTech
Traditional business model: TRADITIONAL BROKERAGE
- In-person financial advisory services and trading through brokers
- Revenue from commission fees and management charges
- High entry barriers (licenses) and account minimums
Digital business model: ROBINHOOD (commission-free trading apps)
- App-based trading with no commission fees
- Revenue from payment for order flow and premium subscriptions
- Democratizes access to stock trading with low entry barriers and real-time
trading
Examples: EdTech
Traditional business model: LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
- In-person language classes with certified instructors
- Revenue from course fees and subscriptions for physical lessons
- Fixed schedules and location-dependent learning
Digital business model: DUOLINGO
- Gamified, app-based language learning with AI-driven personalization
- Freemium model: free core service with paid premium subscription
- 24/7 global access, progress tracking, and real-time feedback
3
, Examples: digital media & content platforms
Traditional business model: THE NEW YORK TIMES
- Content produced by professional journalists, distributed through print and
digital subscriptions
- Revenue from print sales, advertising, and digital subscriptions
- Limited reader interaction, primarily one-way communication
Digital business model: INSTAGRAM
- User-generated content with algorithmic curation and personalized feeds
- Revenue from targeted advertising and sponsored content
- High user engagement, real-time interaction, and global scalability
Examples: digital advertising
Traditional business model: TV advertising
- One-way communication with broad, untargeted audience reach
- Revenue from fixed-rate ad slots based on estimated viewership
- Limited performance tracking
Digital business model: GOOGLE ADS
- Highly targeted, real-time bidding for ad placement based on user data and
behavior
- Revenue from pay-per-click (PPC) and cost-per-impression (CPM) models
- Detailed analytics for campaign performance and ROI measurement
Examples fashiontech
Traditional business model: H&M
- In-store shopping experience with seasonal collections
- Revenue from physical product sales
- Limited personalization and inventory-driven operations
Digital business model: PRINTFUL (print-on-demand platform)
- On-demand production of customized apparel and accessories
- Revenue from order fulfilment and print services without inventory risk
- Highly scalable, eco-friendly, and personalized customer experiences
4
What is a (digital) business model?
Business model:
strategic framework that outlines how an organization:
• Creates value
• Delivers value
• Captures value
• Essential for guiding decision-making and innovation
Key elements:
• Value proposition
• Revenue model
• Value chain
• Profit explanation
• Business transactions
• Collaborative transactions
• Network
• Business structure
• Future planning
• Network structure
• Simplified method and value capturing!
Business model vs. digital business model
Digital business model:
Integration of digital technologies
-> value creation mechanisms
- Dynamic environments
- High competition
- IT-based processes, digital platforms and multiple value-creation strategies
- Business processes: rapid adaptation and continuous innovation
Traditional business model:
Focus on fundamental ways a company generates value
- Stable environments
- Limited competition
- Rely on physical assets and direct value delivery
- Business processes: static and predictable
1
,Examples: mobility & transportation
Traditional business model: TAXI
- Centralized operations with owned fleet and licensed drivers
- Fixed pricing and limited scalability
- Customer interaction through phone or street hailing
Digital business model: UBER
- Decentralized platform with freelance drivers
- Dynamic pricing and high scalability
- App-based, real-time booking with personalized experience
Examples: smart energy & cleantech
Traditional business model: CONVENTIONAL HEATING SYSTEM
- Manual temperature control with limited automation
- Revenue from hardware sales and installation services
- No remote monitoring or optimization
Digital business model: NEST (smart home heating system)
- AI-driven, app-based control with real-time data and remote management
- Revenue from hardware sales, subscriptions, and energy-saving partnerships
- Personalized energy optimization and integration with smart home ecosystems
2
,Examples: healthTech/digital health
Traditional business model: PRIVATE PRACTICE THERAPY
- Face-to-face sessions in physical offices
- Revenue from session-based fees or insurance coverage
- Limited accessibility and availability
Digital business model: ONLINE THERAPY PLATFORM
- Virtual therapy through video, chat, or messaging
- Subscription-based revenue model
- 24/7 accessibility, global reach, and personalized therapist matching
Examples: finTech
Traditional business model: TRADITIONAL BROKERAGE
- In-person financial advisory services and trading through brokers
- Revenue from commission fees and management charges
- High entry barriers (licenses) and account minimums
Digital business model: ROBINHOOD (commission-free trading apps)
- App-based trading with no commission fees
- Revenue from payment for order flow and premium subscriptions
- Democratizes access to stock trading with low entry barriers and real-time
trading
Examples: EdTech
Traditional business model: LANGUAGE SCHOOLS
- In-person language classes with certified instructors
- Revenue from course fees and subscriptions for physical lessons
- Fixed schedules and location-dependent learning
Digital business model: DUOLINGO
- Gamified, app-based language learning with AI-driven personalization
- Freemium model: free core service with paid premium subscription
- 24/7 global access, progress tracking, and real-time feedback
3
, Examples: digital media & content platforms
Traditional business model: THE NEW YORK TIMES
- Content produced by professional journalists, distributed through print and
digital subscriptions
- Revenue from print sales, advertising, and digital subscriptions
- Limited reader interaction, primarily one-way communication
Digital business model: INSTAGRAM
- User-generated content with algorithmic curation and personalized feeds
- Revenue from targeted advertising and sponsored content
- High user engagement, real-time interaction, and global scalability
Examples: digital advertising
Traditional business model: TV advertising
- One-way communication with broad, untargeted audience reach
- Revenue from fixed-rate ad slots based on estimated viewership
- Limited performance tracking
Digital business model: GOOGLE ADS
- Highly targeted, real-time bidding for ad placement based on user data and
behavior
- Revenue from pay-per-click (PPC) and cost-per-impression (CPM) models
- Detailed analytics for campaign performance and ROI measurement
Examples fashiontech
Traditional business model: H&M
- In-store shopping experience with seasonal collections
- Revenue from physical product sales
- Limited personalization and inventory-driven operations
Digital business model: PRINTFUL (print-on-demand platform)
- On-demand production of customized apparel and accessories
- Revenue from order fulfilment and print services without inventory risk
- Highly scalable, eco-friendly, and personalized customer experiences
4