The Growth Potential of Niche Apps

Episode #19 of the Mass Appeal podcast

In this episode, host Tommy chats with Josh Peleg, Head of Development and Mergers & Acquisitions at Bluethrone, about the intricacies of acquiring and scaling consumer apps.

Josh shares insights into Bluethrone’s approach to acquisition, his experience with mergers and acquisitions at Plarium (home of Raid: Shadow Legends), and what it takes to turn apps into high-growth businesses. From analyzing metrics like user retention to growing LTV, Josh offers a deep dive into how Bluethrone helps app developers scale.

What’s the Topic?

With a broad perspective on both mobile games and nongaming apps, Josh discusses everything from app acquisitions to the key trends in the mobile app economy, especially in niche markets. Don’t miss out on learning:

• What does Bluethrone look for in app acquisitions?
• How can developers present their apps effectively to potential buyers?
• What role does organic traffic play in determining an app’s potential?
• How does Bluethrone help scale apps across different verticals?
• What are the emerging trends in app development and M&A?

What to Listen Out for

• 1:34 Josh’s background
• 4:50 What makes an app interesting to acquirers
• 7:00 How are app ratings used as a signal?
• 9:00 Pros and cons of niche apps
• 10:48 Where the dating app market is growing
• 17:14 Consideration of macro trends for M&As
• 20:27 Presenting your app for an exit
• 23:09 Which metrics matter?
• 26:28 Gaming industry: what’s most important
• 31:20 Why experience level matters
• 33:13 Virality: what works

Quote

“One of the benefits of going after niche markets is that users are super engaged. These users are willing to pay more because the service is solving a very specific problem for them – so instead of growing user numbers, we focus on increasing lifetime value.”

– Josh Peleg, Head of Development and Merges & Acquisitions at Bluethrone