Business Model Pattern App

The purpose of this app is to provide entrepreneurs access to one of the most powerful tools for business model innovation: business model patterns.

The Business Model Pattern Database is the world’s most exhaustive collection of business model patterns. Each pattern describes a success-proven option for business model innovation from the past. Examples include “razors/blades” (e.g., Gilette), “disintermediation” (e.g., Dell), and “freemium” (e.g., Skype). The use of business model patterns can jumpstart innovation as research has found that 90% of all business model innovations are just a recombination of existing patterns.

The database was assembled by a rigorous state-of-the-art review on business model patterns, which has been published in the International Journal of Innovation Management (2017, Vol. 21, No. 1). In total there are more than 180 distinct business model patterns, which is why it is so difficult to process them manually. As the patterns in this database are structured along their impact on a business model, they can be systematically identified. For instance, if you made a technological innovation but still require a proper revenue model, the app reveals patterns describing new revenue models ("search patterns"). In contrast, if you are looking for new business ideas but have no clue where to start, the app provides you inspiration from a randomly assembled list of patterns ("surprise me"). And if you want to look up a particular pattern, you can browse all patterns alphabetically ("show all patterns"). Finally, you can add the best patterns to your personal favorites ("my favorites").

Business model innovation is necessary for startups to gain significant in size and for incumbents to stay competitive. The Business Model Pattern Database supports a lean innovation process by facilitating an efficient and effective idea generation phase. Therefore, this app is useful for anyone who considers herself/himself an entrepreneur, including students of entrepreneurial classes, founders of young startups, and managers of established firms.