Blue Ocean Strategy
Definition
Blue Ocean Strategy: Blue ocean strategy creates new market space ('blue oceans') rather than competing in existing crowded markets ('red oceans'). It involves value innovation—simultaneously pursuing differentiation and low cost by eliminating and reducing some factors while raising and creating others. The goal is making competition irrelevant.
Example Usage
“Instead of competing on CRM features, we created a category around 'revenue operations'—a blue ocean where we set the rules.”
Common Misconceptions
Related Terms
Category Creation
Category creation is the strategy of defining and dominating a new market category rather than competing in existing ones. Category creators frame the...
Disruption
Disruption occurs when simpler, cheaper, or more convenient products initially serve overlooked segments, then improve to capture mainstream markets f...
First-Mover Advantage
First-mover advantage is the competitive benefit gained by being first to enter a market. Advantages include brand recognition, customer lock-in, and...
Explore More Resources
Browse Tools
Discover 100+ vetted tools for every stage of your startup journey
Explore all toolsBuild Your Stack
Take our personalized quiz to get tool recommendations for your startup
Start the checklistRecommended Reading
Curated books to help you learn, grow, and succeed as a founder
View book recommendationsListen & Learn
Top podcasts covering startups, product, growth, and entrepreneurship
Discover podcastsHelp us improve this definition
See something that could be clearer or more accurate? Let us know.

