Paper Number
ECIS2026-1585
Paper Type
SP
Abstract
Using artificial intelligence (AI) in business models holds substantial economic potential and reshapes firms’ value creation. However, realizing this potential remains challenging, as most firms struggle to create value from AI. While recent research acknowledges AI’s unique learning capabilities and the necessity to integrate AI within firms’ business model contexts, it remains unclear how firms create economic value using AI. Moreover, the literature offers limited insights into how AI use shapes value creation across interconnected business models. Existing AI business model collections are either outdated or do not capture AI’s influence on value creation. By analyzing 50 AI startup business models using abductive reasoning, I identify eleven AI startup business model types. My findings reveal value creating dependency relationships between these models indicating a reinforcing value network. Thereby, I contribute to the understanding of AI business models by elucidating how AI use fosters value creation within and across business models.
Recommended Citation
Bentele, Marcus, "Towards Value Creation Of AI Startup Business Models: A Typology and Their Interdependencies" (2026). ECIS 2026 Proceedings. 2.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2026/digitrans/digitrans/2
Towards Value Creation Of AI Startup Business Models: A Typology and Their Interdependencies
Using artificial intelligence (AI) in business models holds substantial economic potential and reshapes firms’ value creation. However, realizing this potential remains challenging, as most firms struggle to create value from AI. While recent research acknowledges AI’s unique learning capabilities and the necessity to integrate AI within firms’ business model contexts, it remains unclear how firms create economic value using AI. Moreover, the literature offers limited insights into how AI use shapes value creation across interconnected business models. Existing AI business model collections are either outdated or do not capture AI’s influence on value creation. By analyzing 50 AI startup business models using abductive reasoning, I identify eleven AI startup business model types. My findings reveal value creating dependency relationships between these models indicating a reinforcing value network. Thereby, I contribute to the understanding of AI business models by elucidating how AI use fosters value creation within and across business models.
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