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3 Comments

The Research as a Service Business

I'm noticing a bunch of products (both Indie and VC-backed) that offer research as a service:

A few questions:

  • What makes these areas particular interesting for this model?
  • What makes this kind of product different to a regular content-based website? Or is there no difference?
  • Are there any other good niche examples you have seen?
  • What's the best way to monetise a research as a service product?
on April 15, 2020
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    I spend hours upon hours researching. Its time consuming.

  2. 1

    Interesting post Stevan.

    Only guesses, but my answers to your questions are:

    • What makes these areas particular interesting for this model?: This will work where this information is fragmented, and/or difficult to research yourself

    • What makes this kind of product different to a regular content-based website? Or is there no difference?: Not sure. Why do you ask the question, of out interest? Is the distinction important?

    • Are there any other good niche examples you have seen?: Only smaller indie stuff, like https://airtable.com/universe/expz7TtvQXFRoA4rW/the-startup-studio-ecosystem. On a much larger scale I guess you've also got companies who give access to unique data/info (e.g. https://uk.reuters.com/)

    • What's the best way to monetise a research as a service product?: Only guessing, but assume it'll vary on the idea. If it's frequently updated, more likely to be recurring. If not, a one-off fee could be a route. If there's an eventual business outcome for another company (e.g. hiring, problem sale), then it could be a referral fee

    1. 1

      Thanks, Rob. Yeah, agree with a lot of what you've said. I started a research as a service product only to realise that the information isn't particularly fragmented, so its utility was weakened.