The On-Demand Economy has changed the way most of the people reading this site live their everyday lives. From ordering an Uber when you want to meet up with friends after work, to ordering food from the touch of a screen while at home, to renting someone’s unused car when you want to take a weekend trip; all of these things are made possible by the on-demand economy and the companies that comprise it.

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According to Business Insider, the definition of the On-Demand Economy is:

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The On-Demand Economy is defined as the economic activity created by technology companies that fulfill consumer demand via the immediate provisioning of goods and services. Supply is driven via an efficient, intuitive digital mesh layered on top of existing infrastructure networks.

We're not kidding. That definition needs a definition for most people. Intuitive digital mesh? We literally fell asleep. 

 

The simplest definition of it is this:

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The On-Demand Economy is the immediate booking, purchasing, or ordering of services, products, goods, etc., via a peer-to-peer network or platform company online or on a phone. On-Demand companies pool providers of services, products, goods, etc., into one centralized place for users to secure them via standardized payments, processes, etc. 

Essentially, the On-Demand Economy provides you the platform to get what you want when you want it at a defined price. No more phone calls, looking for individual vendors, etc. Sounds pretty sweet.  Some well known on-demand companies are:

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• Airbnb - online rental service that enables people to list, find, and rent vacation homes

• DoorDash - online food delivery

• Careem - a transportation network company

• ClassPass - fitness company

• Drizly - an alcohol delivery service

• GoPuff - a convenience store delivery service

• Handy - an online two-sided marketplace for residential cleanings and other home services on demand

• Homejoy - online platform to connect customers with house cleaners on demand

• Hotel Tonight - an app that allows users to find discounted hotel accommodations last minute

• Instacart - an Internet-based grocery delivery service

• Lyft - a transportation network company

• Phetch - on-demand pet care

• Postmates - delivers goods locally

• Riovic - an on-demand insurance company

• Shyp - a courier service company

• Just Eat - online food and alcohol delivery

• TaskRabbit - matches freelance labor with local demand immediately

• Uber - online transportation network company

• Udemy - online learning company

• UrbanKlean - an online place for residential cleanings and other home services on demand

• UrbanHandy - on-demand handymen 

• UrbanSitter - book, pay, review, and recommend babysitters and nannies.