Internet Portals as Portfolios of Entry Options

We investigate the valuation of platform investment, such as a software operating system or an internet portal webpage. Platform investment is the creation of an innovative distribution and production infrastructure which increases access to customers; as a result it reduces entry costs in related products. Relative to conventional producers, firms built around platforms enjoy enhanced entry options in uncertain market segments, to be exercised at the optimal strategic timing. When the platform grants a strong strategic advantage, the innovator firm can optimally choose the timing of entry when its strategic gain exceeds the value of the wating option; in case of weaker advantage, the platform firm enters just before its competitor would. In a context of increased uncertainty, the relative value of platform to traditional strategies increases; the value of waiting to invest rises, but the value of platforms increases even more. In some cases, platform can reduce entry by making parallel monopoly sustainable