# Student-to-Student Textbook Marketplaces The 'Spoolu' Platform Creates a P2P Network for Books By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2019-01-26 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spoolu-platform References: [betalist](https://betalist.com/startups/spoolu?utm_campaign=startup-63184&utm_medium=atom&utm_source=newsfeed) & [spoolu](https://spoolu.com/?ref=betalist) College textbooks are notoriously expensive to purchase new, so the 'Spoolu' platform is positioned as a solution for students that will enable them to find a fellow classmate who is looking to offload theirs at a low rate. Acting as a [marketplace for textbooks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peertopeer-rental), the platform lets students sell, buy, rent or trade books all from one convenient spot that is solely based on being student-to-student. After a transaction has been agreed on, students can meet up on campus to settle up instead of needing to do any shipping. The 'Spoolu' platform is a cost-effective way for students to save big when it comes to their book budget, while also acting as the perfect spot for graduates to [sell their collection when graduating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/furloopio). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.5/10 - Popularity: 15% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Peer-to-peer Textbook Marketplaces:** The growth of peer-to-peer textbook marketplaces, like Spoolu, shows a disruptive innovation opportunity for online marketplaces to provide an affordable alternative to traditional textbook vendors. - **Campus Peer-to-peer Marketplaces:** The growth of campus-focused peer-to-peer marketplaces, like Spoolu, shows a disruptive innovation opportunity for online marketplaces to provide community-oriented platforms for students. - **Textbook Trading Platforms:** The growth of platforms that enable textbook trading, like Spoolu, shows a disruptive innovation opportunity for startups to create sustainable sharing economy business models. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Education:** The education industry can leverage peer-to-peer textbook marketplaces to provide an affordable and equitable educational experience for students. - **E-commerce:** The e-commerce industry can leverage campus-focused peer-to-peer marketplaces to capture a niche market of student consumers who prioritize affordability and community. - **Sharing Economy:** The sharing economy industry can leverage textbook trading platforms to provide solutions for sustainable, cost-effective and community-based consumption of resources. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Academic Resource Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/polynoteshub.md) - [Peer-to-Peer Sharing Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shapp.md) - [Book Price Finders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reading-cheap.md) - [Affordable Book Retailing Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shein-x-alibris.md) - [Student Task Sharing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/task-sharing-platform.md) - [Peer-to-Peer Rental Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rax.md) - [P2P Clothing Rental Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sizters-rent-lend-fashion.md) - [Parent-to-Parent Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blossoms.md) - [Interactive Learning Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studypdf.md)