The idea I submitted and worked on for three years when I applied in 2007 had three of those in one... I don't think anybody has executed on it yet, if you want to read my Spring 2007 application again. (Though if I apply again, it would be with another, more time-sensitive idea, which can also be split up into several of your categories.) I'm not trying to brag, but I did outline the exact way to beat eBay.
>I'm not trying to brag, but I did outline the exact way to beat eBay.
And somehow missing out on a $20,000 investment stopped you?!? That is total bullshit; you would have just taken out $20,000 on a credit card, because beating ebay is literally worth billions of dollars.
Thanks for your feedback. From being rejected as a single founder, I decided instead it would be better to get some work experience in order to save money while continuing my college education in order to meet cofounders at work or school for another idea that wouldn't compete against eBay, and apply to YCombinator with a new idea, as stated (and with multiple founders). I think that is an excellent plan, and far more realistic than putting myself $20,000 into debt at credit card interest levels. I would highly advise others against doing what you describe.
If you know how to beat ebay, why are you not doing it? I You could become a millionaire. I take it the thing you are working on right now could make you even more money than ebay?
One, there's already plenty of competition: Etsy and Amazon are just the tip of the iceberg. There's a whole ecosystem of blogs out there on this. Start with Randy Smythe and AuctionBytes.
I'm not going to outline our strategy to expand beyond gaming, but I think our plan is one (of many possible) that will work.
