I have to say I'm not that impressed with the list either - but I offer the following anecdote as to why my opinion shouldn't count that much.
A VC was being told about a new web startup in the 1990's. The startup involved people putting their goods up for sale, where people would bid for them, then exchange the goods and money.
The VC said "People who've never seen each other, sending goods and money to one another, sight unseen? That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard!".
The startup was obviously eBay, and I keep that story in mind every time I hear someone's business idea that I think is less than brilliant. After all, what do I know?
(I read that anecdote somewhere, but have lost the URL - if anyone knows it, I'd love to have a reference)
Ebay created the market for online auction services. They created a new category of products and services which satisfied needs not fulfilled elsewhere. These startups are not directed at market creation activity and are not disruptive.
eBay has a pretty good business model on its face. It's hard to look back in time, but you could tell that eBay COULD be big, if it surmounted enough obstacles. On the other hand, a startup to tell bloggers about your startup has limited room to grow.
A VC was being told about a new web startup in the 1990's. The startup involved people putting their goods up for sale, where people would bid for them, then exchange the goods and money.
The VC said "People who've never seen each other, sending goods and money to one another, sight unseen? That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard!".
The startup was obviously eBay, and I keep that story in mind every time I hear someone's business idea that I think is less than brilliant. After all, what do I know?
(I read that anecdote somewhere, but have lost the URL - if anyone knows it, I'd love to have a reference)