Mine the Gap
Commensalism – a biology term describing an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm. Examples: Lichen or Suckerfish.
The startup, Airsorted, found a niche customer base INSIDE another startups customer base.
This happens very often as a core business model always has gaps in what it won’t offer. AirBnB decided long ago it wasn’t going to enter the management of properties space. They leave that opportunity to the sucker fishes.
It can be argued this is a symbolic dual benefiting relationship, making it “mutualism”.
Either way, business is business. You don’t need to create a brand new product, service and customer base to be successful, often you just need to mine the gap.
(Read about Airsorted raising 10 Million in venture investment and becoming the top AirBnB management firm here: www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-airsorted-raised-875-million-built-worlds-largest-dominic-wilson)