* Topics * [Guide](/academy/guide/) * [Video course](/academy/marketplace-video-course/) * [The podcast](/academy/marketplace-academy-podcast/) [Subscribe](#subscribe-academy) # Tips on starting your marketplace Begin your journey as a marketplace entrepreneur! Here are our best picks to help you fine-tune your marketplace idea, validate your concept, and get your platform off the ground fast. ![How to Choose the Right Marketplace Software](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/914ff23d-62e7-4b4c-bc3b-a1312536141f_Choose-marketplace-software.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplacePlatform technology [The 5 questions to ask when choosing marketplace software](/academy/choose-marketplace-software/) There are dozens of marketplace software solutions to choose from. These five questions make the right choice for your marketplace idea. by Sjoerd Handgraaf --- ### What makes a great marketplace idea Everything starts with an idea. These articles get to the bottom of the anatomy of great marketplace ideas. You’ll learn how to look at the world through the eyes of a marketplace entrepreneur and spot opportunities everywhere. They’ll also give you the basics on how to monetize your marketplace idea. ![Start a marketplace](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/f52008a4-83de-4632-b707-75e7e509a626_What-you-need-to-know-before-starting-your-marketplace-business.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [What you need to know to plan your marketplace business](/academy/what-you-need-to-know-before-starting-your-marketplace-business/) An introduction to online marketplaces. What they are, why they are booming, and why you should build one. by Cristóbal Gracia ![Marketplace idea](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/4aa2f7d4-5944-4894-bba9-6ea7ac7df4e3_How-to-come-up-with-a-great-marketplace-idea.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [How to find great online marketplace ideas](/academy/how-to-come-up-with-a-great-marketplace-idea/) How to spot marketplace opportunities and transform them into great business ideas. by Cristóbal Gracia ![Bright green origami cacti on a light green surface.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/dde3de66-8cd7-4ef2-8193-ac4ddc343729_finding-right-business-model.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplaceBusiness model [The marketplace business model guide](/academy/how-to-choose-the-right-business-model-for-your-marketplace/) Learn how the marketplace model works and brings benefits to all parties involved: the sellers, the buyers, and the marketplace owner. by Juho Makkonen --- ### Preparing your business for take-off You can start working on your marketplace before you have a single line of code written for your website. Take the time to prevalidate your idea, define your budget, and find the smartest way to spend your time and money. Validating your idea will give you lots of new insights that you can take with you to building your MVP. ![](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ZwVDJ4F3NbkBXBBM_Customer-funding-money-ladder-2.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [How to raise funding for a Sharetribe-powered marketplace](/academy/raising-funding-sharetribe-marketplaces/) Lessons from 30+ Sharetribe-powered marketplaces that have raised a total of $66M in venture funding. by Sjoerd Handgraaf ![Four puzzle pieces in different colors on a pale yellow background. Three pieces are together, a red piece is loose but clearly fits the other three pieces to complete a square. ](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ZqeRNB5LeNNTxkI3_puzzleyellowbgredpieceloose.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C375%2C2925%2C1200&w=3840&fit=max) Starting a marketplace [Problem-solution fit for marketplaces](/academy/marketplace-problem-solution-fit/) Problem-solution fit is a sign your product is solving a real problem for users. Here’s how to identify if you’ve reached it—and what to do if you find out you haven’t. by Juho Makkonen ![How much money is needed to start a marketplace business?](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/8c019ac0-9f62-44d5-9a01-192262098046_how-much-money-is-needed-to-start-a-marketplace-business.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [How much does it cost to build a marketplace business?](/academy/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-marketplace-business/) Example of a first year’s marketplace startup budget, and how to spend it wisely. by Juho Makkonen ![How to validate your marketplace idea](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/47424563-9ee0-4929-ae40-b8cb95c8d433_golden_egg.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [How to validate your marketplace idea before building the platform](/academy/how-to-validate-your-marketplace-idea-before-building-the-platform/) Don’t build a desert platform. Here are the steps to take to prevalidate your marketplace idea. by Cristóbal Gracia --- ### Find the fastest way to market Don’t build a desert platform. A common mistake of early-stage marketplace founders is spending too much time and money building their first version. Instead, our advice is to define the minimum set of features you’ll need to wow your first users, and launch as fast as possible. These articles are all about helping you find the fastest and most affordable way to market. ![Half of the image diagonally shows colorful, assembled puzzle pieces on a pale yellow surface. A loose red piece is clearly missing from the assembled puzzle.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ZqjK-R5LeNNTxl3m_puzzle2yellowbg.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C355%2C2925%2C1200&w=3840&fit=max) Starting a marketplace [Product-market fit for marketplaces](/academy/marketplace-product-market-fit/) Product-market fit is a critical stage that shows your marketplace can be profitable. Here's how you can reach it with your marketplace. by Juho Makkonen ![How to Choose the Right Marketplace Software](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/914ff23d-62e7-4b4c-bc3b-a1312536141f_Choose-marketplace-software.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplacePlatform technology [The 5 questions to ask when choosing marketplace software](/academy/choose-marketplace-software/) There are dozens of marketplace software solutions to choose from. These five questions make the right choice for your marketplace idea. by Sjoerd Handgraaf ![Rows of same-sized, square-shaped boxes in pastel colors](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/60386a7b-2361-4da0-bc0d-55a06b834735_How-to-build-a-Minimum-Viable-Platform.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplacePlatform technology [Your marketplace MVP – How to build a Minimum Viable Platform](/academy/how-to-build-a-minimum-viable-platform/) What you should focus on when you’re creating the first version of your marketplace platform. by Cristóbal Gracia ![How to launch your online marketpalce](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/f8e77e71-6d9f-4aa2-8aed-328ce0e398ae_Why-you-should-launch-your-marketplace-early.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [Why you should launch your marketplace early](/academy/why-you-should-launch-your-marketplace-early/) ‘Time is money’, and other teachings to inspire you to take the plunge and launch your marketplace as soon as you can. by Juho Makkonen --- ### More on starting a marketplace More inspiration for the beginning of your journey as a marketplace entrepreneur. ![Hand holding smartphone with empty screen on light background.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/aYNOQN0YXLCxVXPG_Marketplace-mobile-app.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplacePlatform technologyMarketing & growth [Marketplace mobile app: why, when, and how to build one](/academy/marketplace-mobile-app-why-when-how/) Learn if building a mobile app is the right call for your marketplace, when is the best time to make the investment, and what options you have for your tech stack. by Juho Makkonen ![Sage green background with salmon pink credit cards with world map on the upper left corner, black Mollie logo in bottom right corner.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/aN0vOp5xUNkB1Xln_mollie.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [Mollie marketplace payments – overview of key features](/academy/marketplace-payments/mollie-overview/) Are you considering using Mollie to process payments on your marketplace? Here's an overview of its features, pricing, and support so you can weigh it against other options. by Mira Muurinen ![Yellow locks and keys against a yellow background.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/aN0IFZ5xUNkB1WP__Most-common-marketplace-attack-types.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C78%2C1200%2C600&w=3840&fit=max) Starting a marketplacePlatform technology [The 8 most common attacks on marketplaces, and how to defend against them](/academy/most-common-marketplace-attacks/) Online marketplaces are prime targets for attacks. Here's what you should know about defending your marketplace against the most common risks. by Mira Muurinen ![Person against a blue background, dressed in a blue shirt, holding a blue book with black letters falling out.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/aM01P2GNHVfTPdYv_Marketplace-strategy-principles.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C300%2C1200%2C500&w=3840&fit=max) Starting a marketplaceMarketing & growth [10 principles for a strong marketplace strategy](/academy/marketplace-strategy-principles/) Learn the principles behind a strong marketplace strategy… and the pitfalls they'll will help you avoid. by Mira Muurinen ![Sage green background with salmon pink credit cards with world map on the upper left corner, purple Fondy logo in bottom right corner.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/Z5IJ3JbqstJ99xcr_fondy.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [Fondy marketplace payments: overview of key features](/academy/marketplace-payments/fondy-overview/) Are you considering Fondy to power your marketplace payments? Here's our thorough overview on its key features, pricing, and more. by Mira Muurinen ![Sage green background with salmon pink credit cards with world map on the upper left corner, blue and gray Trystao logo in bottom right corner.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ZshFyEaF0TcGJWTo_Trustap-marketplace-payments.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [Trustap marketplace payments–overview of key features](/academy/marketplace-payments/trustap-overview/) Is Trustap the right marketplace payment partner for you? Here's an overview of Trustap's key features, pricing, support, and more. by Mira Muurinen ![Sage green background with salmon pink credit cards with world map on the upper left corner, blue Ryft logo in bottom right corner.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/Zl2Td6WtHYXtUA_m_ryft.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [Ryft marketplace payments—overview of key features](/academy/marketplace-payments/ryft-overview/) Are you considering Ryft to power your marketplace payments? Here's a detailed overview of Ryft's pricing, key features, and more. by Mira Muurinen ![Sage green background with salmon pink credit cards with world map on the upper left corner, Mangopay logo in bottom right corner. ](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ZhT2KhrFxhpPBYxI_marketplace-payments-mangopay.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [Mangopay marketplace payments – overview of key features](/academy/marketplace-payments/mangopay-overview/) Are you considering Mangopay to power your marketplace payments? Here's a detailed overview of Mangopay’s marketplace payment features. by Juho Makkonen & Mira Muurinen ![Sage green background with salmon pink credit cards with world map on the upper left corner, Adyen logo in bottom right corner. ](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ZhT2KxrFxhpPBYxJ_marketplace-payments-adyen.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [Adyen marketplace payments – overview of key features](/academy/marketplace-payments/adyen-for-platforms-overview/) Should you choose Adyen for your marketplace payments? Read this article to know Adyen's features, fees, supported currencies and countries, tax handling, & more. by Juho Makkonen & Mira Muurinen ![Sage green background with salmon pink credit cards with world map on the upper left corner, PayPal logo in bottom right corner. ](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ZhT2KhrFxhpPBYxH_marketplace-payments-paypal.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [PayPal marketplace payments – overview of PayPal for Marketplaces key features](/academy/marketplace-payments/paypal-for-marketplaces-overview/) PayPal for Marketplaces is a widely used marketplace payment provider. Explore its features, fees, available countries, currencies, payouts, and more. by Juho Makkonen & Mira Muurinen ![Sage green background with salmon pink credit cards with world map on the upper left corner, Stripe logo in bottom right corner. ](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ZhT2KBrFxhpPBYxG_marketplace-payments-stripe.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [Stripe marketplace payments – overview of Stripe Connect key features](/academy/marketplace-payments/stripe-connect-overview/) Stripe Connect key features, fees, security compliance, integration and more. by Juho Makkonen & Mira Muurinen ![Nine orange credit cards with the picture of the world map arranged in a symmetrical grid against a light green background.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/Zxt_0IF3NbkBYCBT_marketplace-payments-the-complete-guide.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&rect=0%2C208%2C1600%2C640&w=3840&fit=max) Platform technologyStarting a marketplace [Marketplace payments: The complete guide](/academy/marketplace-payments/) Marketplace payments are very complex. This guide helps you list your feature requirements and compare and choose the best marketplace payment provider for you. (Yes, there's a comparison table!) by Juho Makkonen & Mira Muurinen ![Three thriving cacti in small terracotta pots on pink surface and pink background.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/612fb744-aaec-4f56-887e-abf639fe9bdd_Marketplaces-thrive-during-recession.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Marketing & growthStarting a marketplace [Marketplace businesses that thrive in a recession](/academy/marketplace-businesses-thrive-in-recession/) A recession is a challenge for any business. But a downturn can also offer tremendous opportunities for marketplaces by Juho Makkonen ![Pastel-colored 3-dimensional blocks arragned in the shapes of a pie chart and column chart.](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/4becaaa1-70df-4274-b81b-becd748830c2_Bootstrap-online-marketplace-Sharetribe-1.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&rect=0%2C140%2C1196%2C600&w=3840&fit=max) Starting a marketplace [How I built a bootstrap marketplace](/academy/bootstrap-online-marketplace/) Mike Williams discussed building and scaling Studiotime all without external funding. Before Mike sold the business, Studiotime was the largest online marketplace for booking music studios. by Mike Williams ![Connor Gillivan on competing with marketplace giants](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/f1a3da1b-77de-40ad-b30f-56195dfcd647_Edited_5_ConnorGillivan_1200.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [Competing with marketplace giants — An interview with Connor Gillivan](/academy/competing-with-giants/) How can a marketplace startup compete with platform giants? Connor Gillivan, co-founder and CMO of the freelance marketplace FreeeUp, shares their story. by Mira Muurinen !["Validate your marketplace idea as you go," says Anthony Collias](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/bfb741d3-a2be-45b3-8d81-9430154812d3_Validate-as-you-go-interview-1200-edit.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [Validate your marketplace as you go](/academy/validate-as-you-go/) Stasher co-founder and CCO Anthony Collias reveals how Stasher validated their business idea, built their tech, found partners and funders, and expanded the marketplace to three continents. by Mira Muurinen ![The Lean Marketplace - A practical guide for building a successful online marketplace business](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/4768d07a-89e7-4fdd-9a29-162d0a877608_TheLeanMarketplace-new-book-Sharetribe.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [The Lean Marketplace - out now!](/academy/the-lean-marketplace-book-out-now/) Sharetribe's new book, The Lean Marketplace, is now available for Kindle and as a paperback on Amazon.com. Learn more about this practical guide to building a successful online marketplace business. by Sjoerd Handgraaf ![How to find the perfect name for your marketplace business](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/b6d0933d-1d05-4a93-8621-c91a5646df0a_How-to-find-the-perfect-name-for-your-marketplace-guest-post-Grant-Polachek.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [How to find the perfect name for your marketplace](/academy/how-to-name-your-marketplace/) Grant Polachek shares his approach on how to determine the right name for your marketplace. by Grant Polachek ![Ten marketplace thought leaders every marketplace entrepreneur should follow](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/92ff5797-cdf7-433d-b92f-f42d9d9612c3_top-ten-marketplace-thought-leaders-to-follow-for-marketplace-entrepreneurs.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [10 marketplace thought leaders you should follow](/academy/ten-marketplace-thought-leaders-every-marketplace-entrepreneur-should-follow/) A list of 10 important marketplace thought leaders to follow in this rapidly changing industry. by Sjoerd Handgraaf ![Why did Thumbtack succeed?](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/42a4209f-2537-4851-9b01-d610673294c6_Why-did-thumbtack-succeed.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [Why did Thumbtack succeed?](/academy/why-thumbtack-succeeded/) Starting your marketplace with one city and one vertical is key. But for every rule, there's an exception. by Juho Makkonen ![Five must read books for marketplace entrepreneurs](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/823e7122-60da-42a5-a052-7dcf4a83191a_Five-must-read-books-for-marketplace-entrepreneurs.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [Five must-read books for marketplace entrepreneurs](/academy/five-must-read-books-for-marketplace-entrepreneurs/) Our CEO Juho picked the five books he strongly recommends to all marketplace entrepreneurs. by Juho Makkonen ![3 Lessons learned from starting a marketplace – An interview with Oliver Bremer](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/ae6d249e-827f-4179-8d3c-1e7bddadb49b_Lessons-from-a-failed-marketplace-%E2%80%93-An-interview-with-Oliver-Bremer.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [Three lessons learned: What matters most in marketplaces](/academy/lessons-learned-marketplace-tangareef/) In this interview, Oliver Bremer discusses how and why his first marketplace business Tangareef failed and what he learned from it to start a new project. by Sjoerd Handgraaf ![Boris Wertz on how to Discover Latent Demand. How to build a marketplace with the Marketplace Academy](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/c42482b0-700a-4a8f-9fce-2733601eacd6_boris-wertz-discover-latent-demand-how-to-build-a-marketplace-marketplace-academy.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [Discover latent demand – An interview with Boris Wertz](/academy/discover-latent-demand-an-interview-with-boris-wertz/) Boris Wertz, the prolific marketplace investor and former COO of AbeBooks, believes there are still many untapped verticals that are ripe for disruption by new marketplace businesses. by Juho Makkonen ![The foudners of Cycle.land](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/909c5e58-bda8-4ae0-96c7-61afd55ce345_cycleLand_interview.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [From marketplace idea to profitability in a matter of months](/academy/idea-profitability-months-interview-agne-milukaite-peter-ebsen/) An interview with the founders of Cycle.land, the Sharetribe-powered bike-sharing marketplace that raised more than £400,000 in equity crowdfunding. by Juho Makkonen ![Top ten marketplace founder CEOs to follow for marketplace entrepreneurs](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/b28ff0c2-7409-4fe1-9284-65c5018057c4_top-ten-marketplace-founder-ceos-to-follow.jpeg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [10 marketplace founders you should follow](/academy/ten-marketplace-founder-ceos-every-marketplace-entrepreneur-follow/) A list of ten marketplace founders, who remain CEOs of their successful marketplace companies. Follow them for inspiration and advice. by Sjoerd Handgraaf ![Robin Chase at Ouishare Fest](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/1b6ac520-56bc-43da-abbe-232b9c923eb4_RobinChase_interview_cover.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [How to find the next big marketplace idea](/academy/how-to-find-the-next-big-marketplace-idea-an-interview-with-robin-chase/) From the stage at Cabaret Sauvage in Paris, Robin is telling the vivid story about how she likes to stay at friends’ houses when she travels. by Thea Sørvig Østbye ![Peer-to-peer marketplaces and their 3 most common pitfalls](https://images.prismic.io/sharetribe/bb43a764-b021-4f4b-8497-42c7a68a2164_Why-peer-to-peer-marketplaces-fail-part-2-The-focus-is-too-broad.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&w=3840) Starting a marketplace [Three reasons why marketplaces fail (and how not to)](/academy/3-reasons-why-peer-to-peer-marketplaces-fail-and-how-not-to/) Peer-to-peer marketplaces can be great businesses. They combine the convenience of online stores with scale that comes from the notion that every consumer can also be a provider. by Juho Makkonen [All articles](/academy/articles/) Start your 14-day free trial ## Create a marketplace today! * Launch quickly, without coding * Extend infinitely * Scale to any size [Start free trial](https://console.sharetribe.com/new) No credit card required [Starting a marketplace](/academy/start-a-marketplace/) [Business model](/academy/business-model/) [Marketing & growth](/academy/marketing-growth/) [Platform technology](/academy/platform-technology/) [Insurance](/academy/insurance/) [The Backstage](/academy/backstage/)