Favarr.com: Launching an Online Platform

Favarr.com was the brainchild of two Master of Business Administration graduates from Harvard Business School who were looking forward to their start-up dream. They aim was to solve a problem of cross-border delivery of items through an aggregator model, where travellers would sell spare space in their luggage to carry and deliver goods. The platform was in beta testing mode and available by invitation only. The founders were deliberating on various issues and challenges as they launched their online platform, and the possible available solutions to resolve them.

This case is best taught as part of a curriculum in management programs at the post-graduate level, in courses regarding business models for electronic commerce or online entrepreneurship. This case best fits short-term and long-term management development programs on multi-sided platforms. In terms of the positioning in the course, this case could be used to demonstrate the launching of an online platform. The case is designed for students to examine a start-up’s deliberations when launching an online platform. Launching an online platform looks easy but is fraught with challenges. It is not always clear what choices to make. The decisions determine a firm’s future. The case provides a window into strategies that students can debate and examine threadbare.<br><br>After completion of this case, students will be able to<ul><li>understanding challenges of launching an online platform;</li><li>illustrating dilemmas that a start-up entrepreneur faces in decision-making;</li><li>illustrating which side to choose for subsiding in an online platform; and</li><li>discuss the onboarding strategies of an online platform.</li></ul>

• e-commerce
• online entrepreneurship
• platforms
• gig economy
• start-up’s deliberations when launching
• launching an online platform
• subsiding
• onboarding strategies