Platform Economy 2023: U.S. leads; Europe lags.

Platform Economy 2023: U.S. leads; Europe lags.

The global platform economy is undergoing rapid evolution. America and Asia-Pacific continue to be the driving forces. Both regions are at the forefront, with an average growth across all platforms of 16.12% in 2023 compared to 2022.

America impresses with a dominant market share of 80.3% and a total value of $11.321 billion, marking a 23.49% increase from the previous year. Major platforms like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Apple are fueling this success. These corporations not only hold immense economic power but also geopolitical influence, strengthening their position in global digital regulations and trade agreements.

Asia-Pacific faced a slight decline with a total value of $2.225 billion, down by 9.31% from the previous year. Countries such as China, Korea, India, and Japan play a pivotal role, hosting several emerging platforms.

While Europe did see a growth of 24.76%, its total value of $314.60 million and a share of just 2.2% on a global scale means it plays a minor role and continues to fall behind. Europe confronts various internal challenges like regulations, political tensions, and uncertainties that jeopardize the continent's digital positioning.

Africa, though still in the early stages of its digital journey, recorded a commendable growth of 29.84%. The total value increased from $188.38 million to $244.60 million, representing only a global market share of 1.7%.

The following overview clearly indicates the changes in values, both in absolute and percentage terms, by region:

Figure: Overview of regional values and their absolute and percentage change compared to the previous year.
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The platform economy continues to showcase its dynamism and diversity. While America and Asia-Pacific maintain their leading positions, Europe and Africa offer both potential and challenges for the coming years. Now, let's delve into the geopolitical and economic situation in each of these regions to gain a deeper understanding of the current developments.

Global Situational Analysis of Platforms

Based on our findings, we shift our focus to various regions and their specific developments.

The USA's Pioneering Role in the Platform Economy

The United States is at the forefront and exerts significant influence over the global platform landscape. Their remarkable success is not solely based on their economic power but on their geopolitical weight, which grants them substantial influence in international digital regulations and trade agreements.

Supported by an advanced technological infrastructure, a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, and an extensive domestic market, the USA serves as the epicenter of this digital upheaval. The USA's dominant position in the platform economy arises from a synthesis of their historical mindset, financial resources, ongoing innovation, and the sheer size and power of the nation.

In America, many believe that sound business models, combined with cutting-edge technology, are crucial to completely transform markets. This belief is not only held by major corporations but is also supported by US investors. The immense size and economic strength of the USA provide fertile ground for rapid growth, bolstered by an extensive domestic market and a diverse, innovative business culture. All of this cements the USA's position as the leading platform nation.

Asia-Pacific, India, and the Superpower China

The Asia-Pacific region is of central importance to the platform economy, as it is home to some of the most populous countries in the world that play a significant role in global politics. The economic growth of this region is primarily driven by countries such as China, India, Korea, Japan, and Indonesia. As the second-largest platform region in the world, Asia-Pacific contributes about 15.8% to the total value of all platforms.

Even if the number of platforms is smaller compared to America, the high total value emphasizes the relevance of this region. With some of the world's largest and expanding technology companies, such as Alibaba, Tencent, Bytedance, Pinduoduo, and Baidu, their leading position in terms of innovation and market influence stands out. China, as the most populous country in the world, has undergone an astonishing development in the platform economy in recent years.

Led by giants such as Alibaba, Tencent, Bytedance, and Reliance, China has significantly strengthened its position in the global platform landscape. In addition to building a strong domestic platform economy, China has also proven to be highly competitive on the international level. This rise acts as a serious challenge to the USA and has the potential to significantly influence the orientation of the global platform economy and in other technological areas in the coming years.

Africa - The Potential of Digital Transformation

Africa is experiencing an impressive surge in its digital transformation, even if geopolitically it tends to play a more reserved role. The region is beginning to gain geopolitical influence due to its young population and rich natural resources. Enhanced international collaboration could further accelerate digital development in Africa.

However, economic hurdles such as a lack of infrastructure, limited technology access, and economic challenges are still present and need to be addressed. Despite these obstacles, Africa holds enormous potential for future growth, especially in financial technology and in the platform economy.

The current situation indicates that Africa is faced with unique challenges, such as a lack of infrastructure, limited technology access, and economic difficulties. Yet, through targeted investments in infrastructure and education, Africa could soon play a more prominent role in the platform economy. With international cooperation and a strong focus on digital transformation, Africa could become an emerging platform region in the next few years and thus significantly influence the global economy.

Europe - Challenges in the Platform Economy

Despite its size and economic significance, Europe faces substantial challenges in the platform economy. The political fragmentation within the European Union, a lack of willingness to invest by companies or investors, different national regulatory systems, and cultural differences have proven to be significant obstacles to the development and success of platforms in the region.

With only nine major platforms and an estimated total value of 315 billion USD, Europe lags behind other regions like America and Asia-Pacific. These statistics underscore the difficulties Europe faces in establishing a thriving digital sector and remaining competitive in the global platform economy. Market fragmentation and the varying regulatory approaches within the EU are additional barriers hindering the growth of platforms in the region.

To stay competitive in the platform economy and not fall behind, Europe urgently needs to invest in innovation, technology, and education. A consolidated strategy for the platform economy is imperative to strengthen the digital sector and ensure Europe's digital sovereignty. It will be essential for Europe to overcome these challenges to play a more robust and influential role in the global platform economy.

The Dominance of Publicly Listed Platforms

The platform economy has established itself globally, but its manifestation varies significantly depending on the region. One of the clear indicators for these differences is the distribution between public and private platforms.

Figure: Public and private platforms by region and size.
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The Most Striking Insights from the Analysis

• Dominance of Public Platforms in the USA and Asia-Pacific: In a significant number of regions, especially in America and Asia-Pacific, public platforms maintain the upper hand. The model of publicly listed companies has evidently found great trust and acceptance in these regions. In America, for instance, 78.09% of the platforms are publicly listed, while this percentage in Asia-Pacific is surprisingly lower, accounting for only 12.38%. These figures suggest that the companies listed on the stock exchanges of these regions play a pivotal role in shaping the platform economy.
• Lack of Private Platforms: Despite the tremendous potential that private platforms could offer, they are largely underrepresented compared to their public counterparts. This becomes particularly evident when considering that they account for only a marginal share of the top 100 platforms globally.
• Europe's Diverse Approach: Europe stands out from other regions by having the lowest percentage of publicly listed platforms. This could be a reflection of Europe's unique business models, regulatory environments, and corporate cultures, which are characterized by a stronger emphasis on data protection and consumer rights.
• Africa's Early Days in the Platform Economy: Although Africa is playing an increasingly important role on the global stage, its platform economy is still in its infancy. The low number of platforms in the region, predominantly of a public nature, indicates that there is significant potential for growth and development.

The summary of the data in the following overview shows the percentage distribution of public and private platforms by region:

Figure: Percentage distribution of public and private platforms by region.
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In conclusion: One can observe significant differences in the performance between public and private platforms. The analysis clearly confirms that public companies are at the forefront of the global platform economy. While private companies certainly play a role, their influence and presence is more limited.

• Access to Capital: Public platforms listed on stock exchanges have the advantage of easier access to capital. They can issue shares to quickly raise funds for growth initiatives, innovations, or to overcome market barriers. In contrast, private platforms often have more limited access to capital, relying more on private investments or venture capitalists.
• Liquidity and Tradeability: A hallmark of public companies is the high liquidity of their shares, meaning greater tradeability for investors, which in turn increases the attractiveness of these investments. Private platforms, on the other hand, do not offer the same flexibility.
• Transparency and Trust-building: Another distinction is in transparency requirements. Public companies must regularly disclose financial reports in a stringent manner. This creates an environment of trust and predictability, benefiting both investors and customers.
• Market Value and Global Reach: Public platforms often enjoy a higher market value and impressive market capitalization, allowing them greater influence globally and the ability to reach diverse investor groups internationally.
• Long-term Vision: The structure of public companies often allows for a greater emphasis on long-term strategies. With a broad investor base, they can focus on sustainable growth and innovation, unlike private platforms that might have a more short-term profit focus.
• Access to Talent: With more resources and a global presence, listed companies can often attract more qualified professionals and leaders.

It's evident that, in terms of capital raising, liquidity provision, trust-building, and global expansion, public platforms display a robust presence in the platform economy. Their structure and governance enable them to scale rapidly and establish themselves in various markets, which has significantly contributed to their dominant position in the global platform economy.

On the other hand, private platforms, although equipped with their unique strengths, face bigger challenges in achieving similar advantages. While they typically benefit from less bureaucratic burden and can be more flexible in strategy and approach, their access to resources and global reach might be more limited. Nevertheless, they offer valuable aspects like independence from stock market dynamics and adaptability, which can be advantageous in the constantly changing platform economy.

Following these considerations, we turn our focus to the ever-changing landscapes within the top 100 platforms. The aim is to identify the shifts, the risers, and those who have lost ground. This provides insight into the changing preferences, market conditions, and strategic moves shaping and driving the platform economy. It will be interesting to see which new players come to the fore and which established platforms adjust their strategies to remain relevant.

Performance Analysis of the Regions

The data provides crucial insights into the performance and state of the platform economy across various regions. Based on the information, we've illustrated the following overview, which showcases the overall value of the regions and the number of platforms they contain:

Figure: Total value in Billion USD of individual regions and the number of platforms.
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When setting the total value of individual regions in relation to the number of platforms, we get the following overview, which clarifies the tension degree that we will analyze in depth:

Figure: Average value of platforms by region based on the number of platforms
© Copyright 2023 ECODYNAMICS GmbH

We evaluated also some additional considerations and analyses based on the provided data:

America

• Mature and Diversified Market Structures: America benefits from a mature market environment in which platforms could evolve and grow. Tech hubs such as Silicon Valley have undoubtedly contributed to America's leadership in this sector.
• Investment Environment: The high valuation of platforms may also be attributed to a strong investment environment, robust corporate culture, and favorable regulatory conditions.

Africa

• Growth Potential: Despite the low number of platforms, the high average value indicates that Africa holds tremendous potential for growth and innovation. There is a rising number of tech hubs in Africa fostering the development of start-ups and platforms.
• Underrepresentation: However, it's also essential to emphasize that despite the high average value, Africa's overall presence in the global platform economy remains underrepresented.

Asia-Pacific

• Diversity and Variety: The Asia-Pacific region is characterized by immense diversity, encompassing both mature markets like Japan and emerging ones like India. These factors explain the broad distribution and diversity of platforms and the comparatively lower average value.
• Dynamic Market Changes: Given the rapid technological development and vast population in this region, there's significant potential for growth and value appreciation in the platform economy.

Europe

• Fragmentation: Europe represents a complex market with multiple countries, cultures, and regulatory systems. This fragmentation can pose challenges for platforms in scaling and expansion.
• Enterprises and Innovation: Despite the low valuation and fewer platforms, Europe possesses strong innovation hubs and a rich technological heritage that can be harnessed to be more competitive in the platform economy.

By examining the ratio of total value to the number of platforms per region, profound insights are gleaned into the economic structures, market dynamics, and potentials of various geographical areas. Here are some key takeaways that can be derived from the present data:

• Strong Value Concentration in Certain Regions: There are regions where a high total value prevails despite a low number of platforms. This suggests the presence of established, dominant platforms that might be monopolizing or oligopolizing the market in that region.
• Diversification in Other Regions: Other areas display a high number of platforms with a comparatively lower overall value. This might point to a competitive market where numerous platforms vie for market share, fragmenting values.
• Emerging Markets: Some regions may have a low platform count and total value, hinting at a market yet to mature or with potential for development. Investors seeking growth opportunities might find these regions appealing.
• Market Maturity: Regions with a high platform count and significant total value might be perceived as mature markets where many platforms have already found success and generated significant value. Such markets might pose a challenge for new platforms but also offer opportunities for partnerships or mergers.
• Regional Specialization: There could also be variances in the type or niche of platforms based on the region. For instance, certain regions might be recognized as hotspots for FinTech platforms, while others might focus on e-commerce or social media.

In conclusion, America leads in terms of average value per platform, followed by Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. This reflects the varied developmental stages and economic realities across these regions. America showcases a robust platform economy with highly valued platforms, while Europe still grapples with challenges to elevate its platforms and remain competitive.

Additions and Departures in the Top 100 List

It is evident that the USA dominates the list with high-quality platform companies. However, the movements within the different regions are notable.

Figure: Departures and Additions by Individual Regions
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This year, America's platform economy once again demonstrated impressive dynamics. Companies such as Carvana, PTC, Qualtrics, Workday, Paylocity, Coinbase, and Okta joined the market, indicating continuous growth and broadened diversification. On the other hand, GOPUFF exited the list. This could be attributed to market-driven changes or strategic shifts. Once again, America reaffirms its leading position in the global platform economy.

The significant new entries compared to the single departure highlight the enduring strength and momentum of the American platform industry. The country continues to be a fundamental pillar of the global platform economy, consistently attracting new businesses and letting existing platforms flourish.

Asia-Pacific in Motion

The Asia-Pacific region welcomed new businesses like Zomato, WuXi AppTech, Kaspi.kz, and VIPShop this year, emphasizing the sustained interest in the platform economy, especially in countries like China and Kazakhstan. On the flip side, the region witnessed several departures, including notable names like Bilibili, Full Truck Alliance, Tencent Music Entertainment, and Alibaba Health, to name a few.

These movements might indicate rapidly changing market dynamics and potential shifts in competition. Overall, the platform economy in Asia-Pacific remains diverse and exciting. The active involvement, especially in China, points to fierce competition and possible strategic realignments.

Slight Growth in Europe

Europe welcomed Allegro as a new player in the list this year. This suggests an increased economic dynamism, especially as companies like Allegro amplify their presence. It's notable that no platforms have exited the list from Europe. This indicates a certain consistency and an ongoing trend in Europe's platform realm.

The current scenario in Europe appears favorable for budding platforms, while established players continue to solidify their stance. The unchanged count of companies underscores Europe's role as a stable and attractive market in the platform economy. Furthermore, this development might indicate that Europe is slowly but surely reinforcing its position in the global platform market.

The Steady Region of Africa

This year, Africa reported neither new entries nor departures in the platform economy. This may suggest that the platform economy isn't very prominent in this region yet. It also indicates that Africa is still in the early stages concerning this economic model. It will be intriguing to monitor Africa's digital advancements in the coming years and see if the region becomes more attractive for platforms.

The absence of movement in Africa highlights that the region is still at the onset regarding the digital transformation and platform economy. Nevertheless, Africa holds immense developmental potential, especially if investments are made in areas like infrastructure and education. In conclusion, the varied movements across the regions reflect the distinct phases and specific challenges of each individual region.

Overall, the varied movements across the regions reflect the distinct phases and specific challenges of each individual region.

Challenges and Recommendations for Action for Europe

The analysis suggests that Europe lags behind in the platform economy, both in terms of overall value and the number of platforms, compared to America and Asia-Pacific. Given this data and considering global technology and business trends, I would like to discuss Europe's challenges as follows:

Main Issues of Europe:

• Lack of Innovation: Europe has struggled to promote technological pioneers and platforms that can successfully compete with the market giants from America and Asia.
• Market Fragmentation: The diversity of countries, languages, cultures, and regulatory approaches within Europe makes cross-border scaling of platforms challenging.
• Regulatory Barriers: Europe tends to have strict regulations, which could impact entrepreneurship and the ability to innovate.
• Lack of Investment Capital: Europe seems to invest less in startups and technology platforms compared to America and Asia-Pacific.
• Investment Reluctance: The EU tends to invest in traditional assets like machinery while being more reserved towards innovative business models.
• Cultural Differences and Entrepreneurial Mindset: A potentially more conservative attitude towards risk and a hesitant entrepreneurial mentality could limit the acceptance and growth of platforms.

To address these challenges and strengthen Europe's position in the platform economy, targeted strategies and measures are essential. Here are some suggestions on how Europe can intensify its presence and influence in the platform economy.

Recommendations for Europe

1. Promoting Innovation: Creation of technology hubs and innovation centers to support startups and tech companies.
2. Market Harmonization: Facilitating business operations across the EU to support company scaling. A "Digital Single Market" could be helpful in this context.
3. Flexible Regulation: Revision of the regulatory frameworks to promote innovation while ensuring consumer rights and data protection.
4. Attracting Investments: Incentives for venture capital firms and angel investors to invest in European technology companies.
5. Culture of Entrepreneurship: Promoting educational and training programs emphasizing entrepreneurship and innovation, encouraging young people to take risks and start businesses.

Outlook: Generative AI, Future Trends in Platform Economy

The role of generative artificial intelligence (GenKI) within the platform economy is fundamental. In particular, AI and machine learning are indispensable in analyzing behavior on both the supply and demand sides. With the rapid rise of generative AI models - such as the GPT model - AI becomes even more critical. These models allow platforms to create content, services, and products in real-time, providing strategic insights.

Generative AI will fundamentally influence both the development and adaptation of ecosystems in the future. It's not just about economic value; AI has the potential to reshape the geopolitical order. An exciting trend is the evolution towards autonomous platforms that self-optimize. They constantly evaluate user data to continuously improve their offerings. The interaction between humans and platforms will become even more responsive and effective. Generative AI agents, acting on users' premises, will communicate with each other and execute transactions. This opens up not only new business opportunities but also revolutionizes our relationship with technology.

Within the next 3-5 years, the threshold for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could be reached. Such a development would have profound implications for the economy and the world of work. Therefore, it is essential for governments and regulatory authorities to think proactively about adjustments in financial and labor law structures.

In conclusion, the platform economy of the future will be decisively shaped by generative AI, autonomous optimization processes, and technological breakthroughs. While the USA will undoubtedly hold a key position, there are immense opportunities for other regions to assert themselves in this dynamic sector.