MODULE 4 — Business Models Are Strategic Choices
Lesson 4.1: Revenue Is Not the Business Model
Revenue answers:
- Who pays
- How much
- How often
A business model answers:
- Who benefits
- Who decides
- Who pays
- Who bears risk
Confusing the two leads to misalignment.
Lesson 4.2: Common Business Model Patterns
Examples:
- Direct subscription
- Usage-based
- Services + product
- Marketplace
- Enterprise licensing
Each model implies:
- Sales motion
- Growth speed
- Capital needs
- Founder workload
Choose intentionally.
Lesson 4.3: Accidental Business Models
Many startups fall into models by default:
- Consulting because it pays early
- Freemium because it feels friendly
- Enterprise because “big contracts”
Default choices shape future constraints.
Ask:
“Is this the business we want—or the one we drifted into?”