Startup Model – Connecting Product Designers Directly to Customers

The Model: A platform which connects designers of products directly to customers. Designers, once approved, can upload their designs onto the platform, which customers can buy.  

Startup Doing It: Crowdyhouse (Dutch startup)

What I Like:

Core Idea – An ‘Etsy for product designers’. Customers can get better price, designers can get a better margin and more brand recognition.

Niche – Since the website is all about innovative product designs, discovery of such products is easier here as compared to other ecommerce players.

My Concerns:

Weak Differentiation – Designers can upload their products on other ecommerce websites as well. Though Crowdyhouse does select which designers to keep on their platform, I feel a more significant differentiator may need to be built in.