Management&Business: Business Model Canvas Examples: Explore 30+ Canvas Models

Gary Fox

These business model canvas examples offer valuable insights into how companies structure their operations for success.

These examples will help you explore different business model canvas approaches, showcasing how companies structure their operations to achieve success.

Each example breaks down essential elements like customer relationships, value propositions, and revenue streams, providing a practical way to apply these concepts in your business.

By studying these examples, you can better understand how to organise your ideas around business model innovation.

NOTE: This article contains business model canvas examples. The first section highlights the business model canvas examples and how they transformed industries and markets. At the end, there is a list of more business model canvas examples you can explore.

Business Model Canvas Examples

Many types of business model innovation come from understanding how other companies structure their models to compete.

By studying these approaches, you can see how simple changes can disrupt entire markets. Often, a dominant way of structuring organisations becomes the norm within an industry.

Business model innovation occurs when one or more business model canvas components are altered. These changes can transform how value is created, captured, or delivered or shift the overall cost structure, leading to new competitive advantages.

The Power Of Using Analogy For Business Modelling

The power of analogy in innovation is well-documented by thought leaders such as Safi Bahcall and Vijay Govindarajan.

In the book Loonshots, Bahcall explains how small changes in thinking, using analogies, can lead to breakthroughs in innovation. He shows how analogies help organisations and individuals connect unrelated ideas to create new solutions and growth strategies.

Similarly, Govindarajan, in The Three Box Solution, argues that businesses can use analogies from different industries to rethink their strategies.

The power of analogy directly applies to business model innovation and the business model canvas.

By drawing connections between successful models in different industries, you can reimagine how to structure key components such as value propositions, customer relationships, and revenue streams.

This approach allows you to innovate and challenge traditional market norms, transforming how value is created, captured, and delivered. Analogical thinking can help you identify new opportunities within your business model and develop more effective and competitive strategies.

Business Model Canvas Examples and Explanations

Business Model Canvas Examples – Airbnb

What was the dominant business model?

Before Airbnb, the dominant business model in the accommodation industry was traditional hotels and short-term rental companies. These businesses owned or managed properties and rented rooms to guests. The model relied on large investments in real estate, fixed locations, and standardised services, and it had large numbers of staff, which added to running costs.

Most travellers booked through hotels, which controlled pricing and availability. This business model has large cost structures, fixed-key resources, and a standard room offer/design.

How did the Airbnb business model transform the industry?

Key Resources: Instead of owning physical properties like hotels, Airbnb relied on a platform that connects hosts with guests, shifting from property ownership to a digital marketplace.
Customer Segments: Airbnb expanded its customer base by attracting budget-conscious travellers and those seeking unique, local experiences beyond traditional hotels.
Value Proposition: Airbnb offers affordable, flexible, and unique accommodation options, providing a more personalised experience compared to the standardised services of hotels.
Channels: The company moved bookings online through its platform, removing the need for traditional hotel chains and distribution networks.
Cost Structure: Airbnb reduced fixed costs without owning properties, mainly with variable platform maintenance and marketing expenses.

These changes disrupted the traditional accommodation model by making it easier for individuals to monetise their homes and offering travellers more choices. Although there are other business model examples within the accommodation market the Airbnb model demonstrates the dominant model for how people use their space (asset) to earn revenue.

Business Model Canvas Examples – Alibaba

What was the problem that Alibaba solved?

Before Alibaba, many small businesses in China faced challenges in reaching global markets and sourcing products efficiently.

Traditional supply chains were complex, and small suppliers lacked the resources to compete with larger companies. Buyers often struggled to find reliable suppliers, making transactions slow and costly.

The Alibaba platform solved these problems by connecting buyers and sellers directly. It offered a marketplace that simplified sourcing, reduced costs, and increased access to international markets for small businesses. This streamlined B2B and B2C transactions, creating a more efficient and accessible trade environment.

How did the Alibaba business model change the old way of working?

We can use the business model canvas example to show how Alibaba transformed business-to-business (B2B) relationships. There was already a two-sided market, but the platform reduced the friction by making it easy to find buyers and suppliers, enabled transparency in terms of details of product searches, and also made the communication flow easier.

Key Resources: Alibaba built an online platform that allowed small and medium-sized businesses to connect with manufacturers and suppliers directly, eliminating the need for traditional intermediaries in the supply chain.
Customer Segments: Alibaba targeted small and medium-sized businesses seeking reliable suppliers and manufacturers, both domestically and internationally, focusing entirely on B2B interactions.
Value Proposition: Alibaba provided an efficient and trustworthy platform where businesses could easily find suppliers, compare products, and negotiate deals, reducing costs and expanding access to global markets.
Revenue Streams: Instead of selling goods directly, Alibaba earned revenue from subscription fees, transaction services, and advertising offered to sellers on the platform.
Channels: The company shifted B2B commerce online, eliminating the need for face-to-face interactions and traditional trade fairs and simplifying how businesses sourced and negotiated deals.

As another business model canvas example this demonstrates that a few simple changes to the overall model can have a dramatic effect within an industry or market.

Business Model Canvas Examples – Canva

What was the problem that Canva solved?

When Canva launched, it addressed the challenge of making graphic design accessible to everyone, regardless of their skill level or budget.

Traditional design software was often complex, expensive, and required a lot of training to use effectively. This created a barrier for individuals and small businesses who needed professional-quality graphics for marketing, social media, and presentations but lacked the resources to hire a designer or learn complicated tools.

Canva solved this problem by offering an intuitive, web-based platform with drag-and-drop functionality, pre-designed templates, and a vast library of images and fonts. This allowed users to create high-quality designs quickly and affordably, democratizing the graphic design process.

How did the Canva business model change the creative industry?

If we use the Canva business model canvas example we can take a look at how it transformed the creative industry.

Key Resources

User-Friendly Technology: Canva developed an intuitive, web-based design platform with drag-and-drop functionality. This technology meant that skilled designers were no longer required for creating basic to intermediate designs. Individuals without formal design training could produce professional-looking graphics, reducing the industry’s reliance on specialized talent for everyday design needs.

Value Propositions

Accessibility and Simplicity: Canva offered a solution that made graphic design accessible to everyone. By providing thousands of pre-designed templates and an easy-to-use interface, it eliminated the steep learning curve associated with traditional design software. This empowered users to create high-quality visuals quickly and affordably.

Customer Segments

Non-Design Professionals and Small Businesses: Canva targeted individuals and organizations that lacked the resources to hire professional designers or purchase expensive software. By serving this underserved segment, it expanded the creative industry’s user base and enabled more people to participate in design activities.

Key Activities

Template and Asset Creation: Canva focused on curating a vast library of templates, images, and design elements. This activity reduced the need for original content creation from scratch, allowing users to customize existing assets to fit their needs. It streamlined the design process and diminished the role of skilled designers in creating standard graphics.

Channels

Online Platform and Integrations: By operating entirely online, Canva made design tools available anywhere with an internet connection. Integrations with social media and other platforms allowed users to share and publish their designs instantly, changing how and where creative work was produced and distributed.

Impact on the Creative Industry

Democratization of Design: By lowering the barriers to entry, Canva enabled anyone to create visual content. This shift meant that design was no longer an exclusive domain of skilled professionals, altering the industry’s dynamics and expanding the pool of content creators.
Cost Reduction: With a freemium model, Canva provided essential design tools for free or at a low cost. This affordability disrupted traditional pricing models of design software and services, forcing the industry to adapt to more competitive pricing.
Efficiency and Speed: Canva’s easy-to-use platform allowed for rapid creation of designs, which was particularly beneficial for time-sensitive projects like social media campaigns. This increased speed reduced the dependence on lengthy design processes involving professional designers.
Shift in Professional Roles: While Canva reduced the need for skilled designers for basic tasks, it also pushed professional designers to focus on more complex, high-value projects. This redefined roles within the industry, encouraging professionals to specialize and innovate.
Collaboration Enhancement: Canva’s collaborative features enabled teams to work together in real-time, regardless of location. This capability changed how creative projects were managed, promoting remote collaboration and flexibility.

Business Model Patterns That Apply to the Canva Business Model

Canva utilizes several business model patterns that have significantly impacted the creative industry. One key pattern is the Freemium Business Model Pattern, where Canva offers a basic version of its design platform for free, attracting a wide user base by lowering the entry barrier. Revenue is generated through premium subscriptions like Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise, which provide advanced features, additional content, and enhanced collaboration tools.

Additionally, Canva leverages Network Effects. As more users join and contribute content, the platform becomes more valuable to each user. This increased value attracts even more users and contributors, creating a positive feedback loop that accelerates growth and enhances the platform’s utility.

Business Model Canvas Examples – Cirque du Soleil

What was the problem that Cirque du Soleil solved?

Cirque du Soleil addressed a number of challenges within the traditional circus industry by redefining the circus business model and creating a unique form of entertainment. The problems they solved included declining audience interest, high operational costs, and intense competition.

Problems in the Traditional Circus Industry

Declining Audience Interest: Traditional circuses were losing appeal due to repetitive acts, ethical concerns over animal treatment, and a lack of innovation.
High Operational Costs: Maintaining animals, extensive staff, and large traveling setups resulted in substantial expenses.
Market Saturation and Competition: Many circuses competed on similar offerings, leading to price wars and reduced profitability.

How Did the Cirque du Soleil Business Model Solve These Problems

If we use this business model canvas example we can look at the changes to the main sections of the business model.

Value Proposition

Innovative Entertainment Experience: Cirque du Soleil combined elements of circus arts with theater, dance, music, and acrobatics to create a unique and sophisticated show that appealed to a wider audience.
Elimination of Animal Acts: By focusing on human performance artistry, they addressed ethical concerns and differentiated themselves from traditional circuses.

Customer Segments

Broader Audience Appeal: Targeted not just families and children but also adults and corporate clients seeking high-quality entertainment.
Global Market Reach: Expanded beyond local or regional audiences to attract international spectators.

Key Resources

Artistic Talent: Invested heavily in recruiting and training exceptional performers, designers, and directors to enhance show quality.
Intellectual Property: Developed unique show themes, music, and costumes, creating a strong brand identity.

Cost Structure

Reduced Operational Costs: Eliminated expenses associated with animal care and large traveling setups.
Efficient Production: Standardized show elements and utilized semi-permanent venues to lower setup and teardown costs.

Revenue Streams

Premium Pricing Strategy: Offered a high-value experience that justified higher ticket prices compared to traditional circuses.
Merchandising and Additional Services: Generated extra revenue through branded merchandise, DVDs, and exclusive experiences.

Channels

Strategic Venue Selection: Performed in major cities and prestigious venues to attract larger audiences and enhance brand prestige.
Partnerships with Casinos and Resorts: Established long-running shows in locations like Las Vegas, ensuring steady revenue streams.

Customer Relationships

Engaging Show Experience: Created emotionally captivating performances that encouraged word-of-mouth promotion and repeat attendance.
Loyalty Programs: Implemented initiatives to retain customers and build a dedicated fan base.

Key Activities

Continuous Innovation: Regularly developed new shows with fresh themes and innovative performances to keep the audience engaged.
Marketing and Branding: Focused on strong brand development to position themselves as a premier entertainment provider.

Key Partnerships

Collaborations with Artists and Musicians: Worked with renowned creatives to enhance the quality and uniqueness of their shows.
Corporate Partnerships: Teamed up with global brands for sponsorships and co-promotions.

Impact on the Circus Industry

By reimagining the circus concept, Cirque du Soleil solved the problem of declining interest in traditional circus performances. They shifted from competing in an oversaturated market to creating a new niche that combined artistry and entertainment. This strategic move, often associated with the Blue Ocean Strategy, allowed them to:

Differentiate Themselves: Offered a unique product that competitors did not provide.
Reduce Costs and Increase Profits: Lowered operational expenses while commanding higher ticket prices.
Expand the Market: Attracted new customer segments who were previously uninterested in circus entertainment.

In this business model Canvas example, Cirque du Soleil transformed the circus industry by addressing its core problems through an innovative business model. They eliminated outdated elements, reduced costs, raised the quality of performances, and created new value for customers.

Business Model Canvas Examples – eBay

What was the problem that eBay solved?

eBay addressed the challenge of connecting buyers and sellers in a global, efficient, and accessible marketplace. Before eBay, individuals and small businesses had limited platforms to sell items beyond their local communities.

Traditional marketplaces were geographically constrained, and reaching a wider audience involved significant costs and logistical hurdles.

Buyers seeking rare, collectible, or second-hand items also faced difficulties finding sellers. eBay solved this problem by creating an online auction platform that democratized commerce, allowing anyone with internet access to buy and sell a vast array of goods worldwide.

How The EBay Business Model Changed How People Found and Brought Second-Hand Items, Collectibles and More

Customer Segments

Shift to a Two-Sided Market: eBay created a platform serving two primary customer groups—individual buyers and sellers—facilitating interactions between them.
Global Reach: Expanded the market from local to international, allowing users worldwide to participate.

Value Propositions

Accessibility for All: Provided an easy-to-use platform where anyone could list items for sale or bid on products.
Diverse Product Offerings: Offered a vast selection of goods, including rare and niche items not typically found in traditional stores.
Cost-Effective Selling: Reduced barriers to entry for sellers by eliminating the need for physical storefronts and lowering transaction costs.

Channels

Online Platform: Moved the marketplace online, making it accessible 24/7 from anywhere with internet access.
Mobile Accessibility: Later advancements included mobile apps, increasing convenience and user engagement.

Customer Relationships

Community Building: Fostered a sense of community with user profiles, feedback systems, and forums.
Self-Service Model: Empowered users to manage their buying and selling activities independently.
Trust Mechanisms: Implemented rating and review systems to build trust among users.

Revenue Streams

Transaction Fees: Earned revenue through listing fees and a percentage of the final sale price from sellers.
Advertising: Generated additional income by offering advertising spaces to businesses targeting eBay’s user base.
Value-Added Services: Provided premium services like enhanced listings for additional fees.

Key Activities

Platform Development and Maintenance: Focused on ensuring a reliable, user-friendly website and later, mobile applications.
Security and Fraud Prevention: Invested in technologies and policies to protect users and maintain platform integrity.
Community Management: Encouraged user engagement and addressed concerns through customer support.

Key Resources

Technological Infrastructure: Robust servers, databases, and software enabling seamless transactions.
Brand Reputation: Established trust and recognition as a leading online marketplace.
User Base: A large and active community of buyers and sellers driving network effects.

Key Partnerships

Payment Services: Initially partnered with payment providers like PayPal (which it later acquired) to facilitate secure transactions.
Logistics and Shipping: Collaborated with shipping companies to streamline the delivery process for users.
Affiliates and Developers: Worked with third-party developers to create tools and integrations that enhance the user experience.

Cost Structure

Operational Costs: Expenses related to website hosting, maintenance, and technological upgrades.
Customer Support: Costs for supporting users through help centers and dispute resolution.
Marketing and Advertising: Investments to attract new users and retain existing ones.
Security Measures: Ongoing efforts to protect the platform from fraud and cyber threats.

eBay transformed the traditional marketplace by leveraging the internet to solve the problem of limited access between buyers and sellers.

By reimagining key components of the business model canvas—such as customer segments, value propositions, and channels—it enabled a global, user-driven marketplace that operates efficiently and inclusively.

In this business model canvas example, we can see how eBay’s platform removed geographical barriers, reduced transaction costs, and created a trusted environment for commerce, changing how people buy and sell goods worldwide.

Business Model Canvas Examples – Linkedin

What was the problem Linkedin solved?

LinkedIn addressed the challenge of professional networking and career development in the digital age.

Before LinkedIn, professionals had limited means to maintain and expand their professional connections beyond in-person meetings, business cards, and occasional networking events.

This made it difficult to discover job opportunities, find suitable candidates for positions, and share industry knowledge efficiently.

LinkedIn solved this problem by creating an online platform dedicated to professional networking. It allowed individuals to create professional profiles, connect with colleagues and industry peers, search for jobs, and share insights—all in one accessible, global network.

This not only streamlined the networking process but also democratized access to professional opportunities and information.

The main sections of the Linkedin Business Model Canvas that changed/helped to solve the problem

Value Propositions

LinkedIn transformed how professionals interacted, making networking more efficient and far-reaching.

Create a Professional Identity: Users could showcase their experience, skills, and achievements through detailed profiles.
Expand Networks Efficiently: The platform enabled easy connection with past and present colleagues, industry peers, and potential employers or clients.
Access to Opportunities: Job listings and recruitment features connected job seekers with employers globally.
Knowledge Sharing: Groups and content feeds allowed for the exchange of industry insights and professional advice.

Customer Segments

LinkedIn connected multiple customer segments, each benefiting from the platform:

Individual Professionals: People seeking to build their professional network, find job opportunities, or enhance their industry knowledge.
Recruiters and Employers: Organizations looking for talent acquisition and employer branding opportunities.
Advertisers: Businesses aiming to market products or services to a professional audience.
Sales and Marketing Professionals: Users leveraging the platform for lead generation and business development.

Key Activities

To solve the networking problem, LinkedIn focused on several key activities:

Platform Development: Continuously improving the website and mobile apps for better user experience and functionality.
Feature Enhancement: Introducing tools like InMail, endorsements, and recommendations to facilitate deeper engagement.
Content Curation and Generation: Enabling users to publish articles and share updates, fostering a knowledge-sharing environment.
Data Analytics: Utilizing user data to provide personalized job recommendations and network suggestions.

Revenue Streams

LinkedIn established sustainable revenue streams that also enhanced the user experience:

Premium Subscriptions: Offering advanced features for job seekers (LinkedIn Premium), recruiters (LinkedIn Recruiter), and sales professionals (LinkedIn Sales Navigator).
Advertising Services: Providing targeted advertising solutions for businesses to reach specific professional demographics.
Talent Solutions: Selling recruitment tools and services to companies for efficient talent acquisition.
Learning Solutions: Offering online professional development courses through LinkedIn Learning.

Business Model Examples – The OpenAI Business Model

What was the problem OpenAI solved?

OpenAI addressed the challenge of advancing artificial intelligence (AI) in a way that is safe, ethical, and beneficial to all of humanity. Before OpenAI, AI research and development were primarily conducted by a handful of large corporations and elite academic institutions, often behind closed doors with proprietary technologies. This exclusivity led to several problems:

Limited Access to AI Technologies: Small businesses, independent developers, and researchers had limited access to cutting-edge AI tools, hindering innovation and widespread application.
Ethical and Safety Concerns: Rapid advancements in AI raised concerns about misuse, lack of control, and unintended consequences, including threats to jobs, privacy, and even security.
Lack of Collaboration: The siloed nature of AI research prevented the sharing of knowledge that could accelerate progress and address global challenges.

OpenAI solved these problems by creating an organization dedicated to ensuring that AI technologies are developed responsibly and shared widely. They focused on democratizing access to AI by providing powerful models like GPT-3 and GPT-4 through accessible platforms, promoting transparency, and prioritizing safety measures to mitigate risks associated with advanced AI systems.

The main sections of the Business Model Canvas that changed/helped to solve the problem

Value Propositions

OpenAI’s value proposition fundamentally shifted by offering:

Democratized AI Access: Providing advanced AI models and tools to a broader audience, including developers, businesses, and researchers, regardless of their size or resources.
Ethical and Safe AI: Emphasizing the development of AI that is aligned with human values, implementing safety protocols to prevent misuse.
Innovation Acceleration: Enabling others to build upon OpenAI’s technologies to create new applications and solutions across various industries.

Key Activities

OpenAI changed key activities to solve the identified problems:

Research and Development: Invested heavily in developing state-of-the-art AI models and conducting pioneering research in machine learning and artificial general intelligence (AGI).
Safety and Policy Implementation: Established protocols and guidelines to ensure AI technologies are developed and used responsibly.
Community Engagement and Collaboration: Shared research findings openly, collaborated with external organizations, and sought public input on policy development.

Key Resources

The organization redefined its key resources:

Advanced AI Models: Developed powerful models like GPT series, which serve as foundational tools for various applications.
Expert Talent Pool: Assembled a team of leading AI researchers, engineers, and ethicists dedicated to advancing AI safely.
Computing Infrastructure: Utilized cutting-edge computational resources to train large-scale models, which were previously unattainable for many organizations.

Customer Segments

OpenAI expanded and diversified its customer segments:

Developers and Startups: Offered APIs and tools that allow for the integration of AI capabilities into new and existing products.
Enterprises: Provided solutions for businesses looking to enhance operations, customer service, and product offerings with AI.
Educational Institutions and Researchers: Enabled access to AI models for academic research and learning purposes.
Policy Makers and NGOs: Collaborated on developing frameworks and solutions for societal challenges related to AI.

Impact and Disruptive Power

By altering these components of the Business Model Canvas, OpenAI disrupted the AI industry in several ways:

Increased Accessibility: Lowered the barriers to entry for utilizing advanced AI, leading to widespread adoption across different industries.
Promoted Ethical Standards: Set new norms for AI safety and ethics, influencing how other organizations approach AI development.
Accelerated Innovation: Empowered a global community of developers and researchers to build upon their work, fostering innovation and diverse applications.
Competitive Shift: Challenged the dominance of tech giants by making advanced AI capabilities available beyond well-funded entities.