I would argue that a lot of new companies like Uber and AirBnb are information brokers -- they provide a service of connecting demand (consumers) to a previousl

I would argue that a lot of new companies like Uber and AirBnb are information brokers -- they provide a service of connecting demand (consumers) to a previously untapped supply (merchants). The economic value they have comes from 'creating' a market and being first in it (brand recognition), which gives them a competitive edge over newcomers. In addition, from investors, they have a 'war chest' which allows them to make the barriers to entry harder. Some of these companies, I think, have realized that they are too dependent on the will of their suppliers; so now, they're actually manufacturing or creating something tied solely to the company. For example, Uber investing in self-driving cars.