A horizontal market refers to a market that offers a wide range of products or services across various industries. Instead of focusing on a specific niche, businesses in a horizontal market cater to multiple sectors, providing solutions that can be used by different types of customers. For example, software companies that create applications for accounting, project management, and customer relationship management serve a horizontal market. In contrast to a vertical market, which targets a specific industry, horizontal markets allow for greater flexibility and broader customer bases. Companies like Microsoft and Salesforce exemplify this approach, as they provide tools that can be utilized by businesses in various fields, from healthcare to finance. This diversity can lead to increased opportunities for growth and innovation.