Marketplace Venture Case Study
Creating the ultimate party-planning platform & startup.
Web App ✦ Marketplace ✦ 3 Months
Summary
A case study on designing a platform that enables users to plan parties autonomously, with AI-driven guidance, integrated payments, and direct vendor communications, making professional planning accessible to all. For vendors and SMBs, the platform offers intuitive, customized AI tools to reduce low-impact tasks and streamline client interactions, allowing them to focus on delivering high-value services and getting access to business data like never before.
Why now?
Rising demand for DIY tools, recent advances in AI, and streamlined digital experiences make it possible to provide a user-friendly, all-in-one platform that empowers users to create polished, professional events on their own terms.
At the same time, vendors and SMBs need customized AI tools to efficiently handle repetitive tasks, freeing them to concentrate on client needs—filling a gap in the market for accessible, autonomous event planning that benefits both users and service providers.
Research
Research showed that users want control over event planning but need accessible tools to reduce overwhelm. Key pain points included managing budgets, finding relevant vendors, and coordinating logistics across multiple apps.
Vendors, in turn, struggle with inefficient communication channels when dealing with clients. Competitor analysis revealed a gap for a solution that combines professional features with DIY flexibility.
User and vendor insights emphasized the need for an intuitive, all-in-one platform that streamlines vendor selection, payments, and communication—empowering users to plan confidently while simplifying client interactions for vendors.
The ontology of a party.
The MVP
Challenges & Solutions
We mitigated the typical marketplace challenges with a user-focused design strategy, strategic growth, and policies that build trust and transparency, such as:
Strategically recruited high-quality vendors in the launch region to build a reliable foundation
Implemented vendor verification, user reviews, and clear cancellation policies
Established secure payment gateways with escrow options, released funds to vendors upon service completion, and provided dispute mediation support
Fostered organic growth by introducing a virtual invitation and RSVP system that encouraged more users to join
