Open platforms
Just as Google’s Android operating system has disrupted mobile rivals, I think AngelList will do the same to most incumbent venture capital firms and put some out of business unless they make significant changes. This tectonic shift will have major ramifications for both investors and entrepreneurs and we better fasten our seat belts!
In my opinion, Android’s meteoric growth can be attributed to three key factors: open platform, modularity and network effects.
- Open/Free: The fact that Android was open and free to use significantly lowered the barriers to adoption for OEMs and made it a compelling option compared to the alternatives (license or in-house).
- Modular: Android’s modular and flexible architecture allowed OEMs to augment the operating system to suit their needs and innovate on design, form factor and functionality. This encouraged healthy competition even within the Android ecosystem and prevented all Android-based phones from looking the same.
- Network effects: Android has built a thriving developer ecosystem around it. As the number of developers on the platform increases, it gives OEMs (and users) even more reasons to adopt Android.
Of course, market timing was also crucial to Android getting 75 percent market share, as measured by Gartner....