Abstract  

The case on Siwggy, Foodora, and Yelp analyzes the hyperlocal food delivery business models that are popular in their respective markets. These multi-sided firms bring together local businesses such as restaurants and salons with their patrons through assistance in service discovery and delivery. This case elaborates how the foodtech space is evolving in countries such as India, Germany, and the United States, and how each of these hyperlocal platforms are adopting different strategies to sustain their business in their primary markets.

When used as an introduction to multi-sided platforms, this case can help the student understand the hyperlocal space, the logistics challenges that food industry faces and how these delivery service platforms help address the same. This case also looks at what threats these platforms pose to its different sides and how envelopment possibilities emerge. It should help the students appreciate how a technology platform brings differentiation to the traditional food industry, and how a platform business model can provide significant competitive differentiation. By presenting three different hyperlocal platforms in as many geographies, the case study helps illustrate the commonality of business models while bringing forth the nuances of each market and its operational complexities.

Learning Objective (Maximum of 500 Characters):  Briefly describes teaching goals of case.

1. To introduce the concept of multi-sided platforms and their business model
2. To understand platform concepts such as network effects, pricing (money and subsidy sides), multi-homing, and envelopment
3. To understand the strategic choices that multi-sided platforms need to make