Are we doing homework for you?

I suspect the "best" business model at the moment is the one where the users create or provide the content, and the company is an organizer and platform.

We've all seen this quote recently:

"Uber, the world’s largest taxi company, owns no vehicles.

"Facebook, the world’s most popular media owner, creates no content.

"Alibaba, the most valuable retailer, has no inventory.

"And Airbnb, the world’s largest accommodation provider, owns no real estate."

Without the costs of inventory or fixed assets beyond the platform, the company can concentrate fully on the profitable organization of *information*.

Is it the "best" model, though?

Depends. What are your priorities?

The "most profitable companies" in the world in 2014 are banks & investment, IT, oil, and telecom firms. Also a retail electronics manufacturer.

One of the top 5 is a state-owned company, though, and I would cross that off the list.

The rest look fairly traditional in structure.

Not necessarily like the "fastest growing" companies.

So is your priority fast growth or profit?

Or is it something else? Like an ego-driven "I want to employ the most people so I have the 'biggest' company"?

What is "best" is relative.