Navigating Vend’s Vertical Transformation, With Vend CEO, Christian Halvorsen

Harvey and Simon engage with Christian Printzell Halvorsen, CEO of Vend, discussing the evolution of Vend from Schibsted Marketplaces, its strategic focus on verticalization, and the importance of adapting to user needs in the real estate sector.

They explore the brand portfolio, the role of acquisitions in growth, and the impact of AI on the marketplace. The conversation also touches on monetization strategies, vendor-paid advertising, and the potential of subscription models in the rental market, concluding with insights on industry trends and future directions.

00:00 Introduction to Vend and Its Evolution
04:25 Cross-Vertical Insights and Organizational Transformation
07:28 Verticalization Strategy in Real Estate
11:22 Talent Acquisition and Competence Building
16:04 Evaluating the Best Tools for Market Entry
18:12 Real Estate's Role in Vend's Strategy
20:35 Monetization Strategies in Real Estate
22:31 Vendor Paid Advertising Opportunities
25:09 Expansion of CASA into New Markets
27:21 Long-Term Brand Integration Strategies
29:02 Subscription Model Insights for CASA
31:55 Leveraging AI for Enhanced User Experience
34:40 The Impact of AI on Business Models
36:10 Adapting to Rapid Technological Changes
38:16 Building an AI-Driven Organization
40:52 Innovative Prototyping with AI
42:58 The Future of AI in Real Estate
45:02 AI-Driven Buyer’s Agents
50:17 The Role of Agents in Real Estate
54:21 Challenges and Opportunities in the Industry