2024 in Review: Platforms, AI, and the Growing Role of Corporate Venture Studios

As 2024 winds down, the innovation landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. The rise of platform business models, the transformative potential of AI, and the increasing prioritization of new business building by CEOs are reshaping industries worldwide. At fastbreak.one, we have been at the forefront of these shifts, helping companies navigate complexity and unlock growth. Here’s our comprehensive look at the year’s major trends and insights.

Platform Business Models: The Undisputed Champions

Platforms remain the most resilient and scalable business models, thanks to their ability to harness network effects and ecosystem value creation. Platforms enable multiple stakeholders—customers, providers, developers, and partners—to interact and generate mutual value. The numbers speak for themselves: over 70% of the world’s most valuable companies operate platform-based business models (source: McKinsey).

In the realm of AI, platforms are even more critical. AI businesses thrive on data network effects, where increased data availability improves model performance, creating a flywheel effect that drives user engagement and unlocks value. This explains why many successful AI companies adopt platform economics as their foundation. From cloud-based AI platforms to data marketplaces, the interplay of AI and platforms is redefining how businesses innovate.

However, building and scaling platforms require a strategic approach that goes beyond technology. It involves understanding market ecosystems, identifying the key players and interactions within them, and deciding on strategic moves. At fastbreak.one, we apply ecosystem thinking to help companies uncover opportunities within their markets and design strategies that position them for long-term success.

The Challenge of AI Use Cases: Navigating the Complexity

Despite its vast potential, AI remains a daunting frontier for many organizations. According to McKinsey, while 63% of companies have adopted AI tools in some capacity, only a fraction are achieving significant value. The primary roadblock? Identifying the right use cases.

This is where our AI Use Case Navigator Toolset and Framework comes in. Part of the AI Innovation Kit, this toolkit simplifies the AI journey by mapping out 28 patterns of AI use cases. These patterns span industries and functions, offering clear guidance on where AI can deliver value—be it through optimizing operations, enhancing customer experiences, automating repetitive tasks, or uncovering new revenue streams.

The framework’s structured approach enables companies to demystify AI and move from experimentation to impact. By aligning AI initiatives with strategic objectives, businesses can make faster, more informed decisions and maximize their return on investment.

New Business Building: A Strategic Imperative

Innovation is no longer optional—it’s a matter of survival. McKinsey’s research underscores this, revealing that over 80% of CEOs rank new business building as their top strategic priority. Why? Because incremental improvements to the core business are insufficient to stay competitive in today’s fast-changing market.

Successful new business building, however, doesn’t happen by chance. It requires the right strategy, tools, and frameworks to identify market opportunities, understand customer needs, and bring new ideas to life. At fastbreak.one, we emphasize the importance of starting with a robust strategy grounded in ecosystem thinking. By analyzing market ecosystems, we help companies identify gaps, pinpoint areas of opportunity, and decide on the most promising strategic moves.

One of our flagship programs, beyondCore, is designed to support this process. Through beyondCore, we guide companies to look beyond their existing business models, explore adjacent markets, and build ventures that drive sustainable growth. It’s a comprehensive approach that combines market insights, strategic foresight, and execution capabilities.

The Rise of Venture Studios: A Proven Model for Innovation

2024 was also the year when venture studios solidified their role as a leading model for corporate innovation. Venture studios offer a structured approach to building new businesses by combining resources, talent, and entrepreneurial frameworks. The model’s growing popularity is reflected in a recent report by In Niches, which highlights that corporate venture studios are now responsible for launching some of the most successful new businesses in various industries.

The secret to the venture studio model’s success lies in its entrepreneurial mindset and ability to iterate quickly. Unlike traditional approaches to innovation, venture studios focus on rapid prototyping, validation, and scaling. This not only reduces risk but also accelerates time-to-market—a crucial advantage in today’s competitive environment.

At fastbreak.one, we specialize in helping traditional companies adopt the venture studio model. By integrating it with our expertise in platform design, AI use case development, and ecosystem strategy, we enable our partners to create innovative ventures that are both scalable and sustainable.

Key Statistics and Takeaways from 2024

1. Platform dominance: Over 70% of the world’s most valuable companies operate on platform models (McKinsey).
2. AI adoption hurdles: While 63% of companies have adopted AI tools, many struggle to achieve significant ROI (McKinsey).
3. CEO priorities: 80%+ of CEOs rank new business building as their top strategic focus (McKinsey).
4. Venture studios: Corporate venture studios are increasingly recognized as a leading model for launching successful businesses (In Niches).

Looking Ahead: Preparing for 2025

As we look toward 2025, several trends will shape the innovation landscape:

• AI platforms will dominate the next wave of transformation, unlocking new opportunities across industries.
• The importance of structured frameworks like the AI Innovation Kit will grow as companies seek to scale AI initiatives.
• CEOs will double down on new business building, with venture studios playing an increasingly central role in driving corporate growth.

At fastbreak.one, our mission remains clear: to help companies build the businesses of the future. Whether it’s designing platforms, navigating AI use cases, or developing bold strategies to go beyond the core, we are here to partner with you every step of the way.

Take the Next Step

Are you ready to unlock the future of innovation? Let’s talk. Explore our tools like the AI Innovation Kit and learn how programs like beyondCore can transform your business. Together, we can navigate the challenges of 2025 and beyond.