Which business model is characterized by enabling multiple sellers and buyers on a single platform through onboarding?

• A. Direct-to-Consumer
• B. Subscription Service
• C. Marketplace and Platforms
• D. Payment Processor

Answer: (C)

Enabling multiple sellers and buyers on a single platform through onboarding describes a marketplace or platform model. This setup invites various sellers to join, list their offerings, and operate within the platform's rules, while buyers arrive to browse and transact, all coordinated by onboarding processes that verify sellers, establish terms, and integrate payments. The power of this model lies in network effects: more sellers attract more buyers and vice versa, creating growth through ecosystem participation. Examples include Amazon Marketplace, Etsy, Uber, and Airbnb. Direct-to-Consumer focuses on a single brand selling directly to customers, not on onboarding many sellers. A subscription service centers on recurring access or deliveries, not a multi-seller ecosystem. A payment processor handles the payment mechanics behind transactions but doesn't typically host or onboard a broad seller community within a single platform.