A Hidden Gem within the Creative Economy
Building a successful network-driven platform is an extended investment process that can reap outsized returns. A boon to this process is finding what we call a "hidden gem"—a large, underserved market plagued by a clearly defined set of problems, which is primed to flourish once a suitable platform solution to these problems becomes widely adopted.
The vast majority of growth within the $1+ trillion creative economy is fueled by creators who produce digital content or utilize online marketplaces. While numerous internet platforms service this thriving sector (e.g., Behance, Etsy, Kickstarter, SoundCloud, Vimeo), the following pain points persist among millions of everyday creators worldwide:
- Finding the right co-creators and service providers across industries and locations; and
- Obtaining the expert guidance necessary to get their creative projects off the ground.
Our Market Focus
The above widespread pain points reveal the immense market opportunity within the creative sector that is the focus of our work. While a host of internet platforms seek to help creators fund, showcase or sell their final projects, the early stages of the innovation process which ultimately result in the works that fuel our creative economy are largely underserved. (See following diagram.)
Initial Target Industry
Our initial focus within the creative economy is music, wherein projects often involve people from, and knowledge about, other creative fields (e.g., promo videos involve film; album art involves digital design and photography; branded merchandise involves fashion). This foundation within the global music community will offer Verge Nation a springboard to extend its online network across these related creative fields.