a16z Podcast

The Marketplace 100: A Glimpse Into the Future of Commerce

Connie Chan, Olivia Moore, and Zach Cohen

Posted March 23, 2023

Over the last decade, we’ve seen the marketplace model evolve and grow, and this year a16z is back with our fourth edition of the Marketplace100 – a ranking of the top private marketplaces by GMV – giving a unique window into what may be to come.

This year’s list features nearly three dozen newcomers, including marketplaces for refurbished electronics, precious metals, and sustainably raised meat. And in this episode, we break down key trends from the report together with a16z’s Consumer partners Connie Chan, Olivia Moore, and Zach Cohen.

If you’d like to see the full ranking of the largest consumer-facing marketplace startups and private companies, you can find the full report https://a16z.com/marketplace-100.

Show Notes

00:00 – Introduction

02:28 – Why marketplaces?

05:18 – What metrics matter

07:55 – Newcomers on the list

09:49 – Entertainment and personalization

13:46 – Curated marketplaces

14:47 – Trust and safety

21:23 – Mental health trends

22:42 – Untapped supply

24:40 – Disintermediation

27:42 – Transient vs foundational trends

31:33 – Companies entering the category

36:52 – Sleeper categories for 2024