Moat types
Fourteen public capability groups for discussing competitive advantage.
A shared vocabulary
The public taxonomy names fourteen possible kinds of barrier. A label is a starting point for investigation, not proof that a company has that moat. These public research and Find categories do not establish that a company has been assessed under a new scoring method. The Moat Type Index shows the measured research snapshot and its limitations.
Capex-bound scale
Scale tied to difficult-to-reproduce plant, equipment or capacity. Show why the assets improve customer economics and why equivalent capacity is hard to obtain.
Proprietary learning loop
Learning from outcomes that a rival cannot obtain on the same terms. More data alone does not establish exclusive learning or a durable advantage.
Physical & tacit process
Operating knowledge accumulated through real work, including know-how that is difficult to document and transfer. Show outcomes and the time needed to reproduce them.
Identity-bound network
A network whose value depends on identified, participating parties. Demonstrate useful interactions and why a new network cannot attract equivalent participation quickly.
System-of-action embedding
A role in real workflows where replacement requires revalidation, changed permissions or operational responsibility. Familiarity with a screen alone is a weaker claim.
Rights-cleared data
Documented rights to use valuable data on terms rivals cannot readily match. Record scope, exclusivity, duration and restrictions without assuming legal enforceability.
Licences & approvals
Permissions needed to operate or serve particular customers. Check who holds them, their scope, renewal conditions and whether competitors can obtain equivalents.
Scarce physical, energy & supply positions
Access to constrained sites, energy, materials or supply. Evidence should distinguish secure access from a temporary shortage or an unenforceable intention.
Co-specialised complementary assets
Assets such as distribution, service or manufacturing that work especially well with the product. Test whether a rival can rent or partner for an equivalent route to the customer.
Human-chosen brand
An advantage created when people deliberately prefer a trusted name. Show the buying behaviour and economic benefit, including what changes when an agent makes the choice.
Audited track record & verified reputation
Dated, checkable operating history that others cannot create instantly. Separate independently verified records from testimonials and unsupported claims.
Liability absorption
Taking credible responsibility for outcomes. This is a hypothesis in the public taxonomy: promises need capacity, clear terms and independent scrutiny.
Counter-positioning
An approach an incumbent has difficulty adopting without harming its existing business. Identify that conflict and test how long it would last.
Trust-anchor position
A position as an issuer, verifier or other checkable point of trust. This is a hypothesis in the public taxonomy; it needs evidence of actual reliance and alternatives.
From a type to evidence
Document the customer benefit, the obstacle facing a credible rival and dated sources for both. Preserve hypotheses, especially for liability absorption and trust-anchor position. A category or AI-durability direction does not certify an advantage.