Business Model Canvas

Biological Parallel

The Business Model Canvas maps nine building blocks of value creation, much like Hox genes map an organism's body plan. Both are architectural blueprints: Hox genes specify segment identity (head, thorax, abdomen), while the canvas specifies business segments (value proposition, customer relationships, revenue streams). A fruit fly and a human share the same Hox gene toolkit but configure segments differently. Similarly, Airbnb and Marriott use the same canvas blocks but configure them into radically different organisms.