True, but Khan Academy doesn't significantly deviate from the hypothesis in the model -- if you provide the content for free, it's as cheap as or cheaper than all the alternatives {do nothing, $pay_service_from_a_startup, $government_subsidized_service}. At that point, it becomes a quality issue.
I think that you and the OP have similar values -- the key takeaway is that you're probably not going to become a billionaire by "revolutionizing" education.
(Heck, IMO, it's incredibly unlikely that you're going to become the next Sal Khan or Kiva -- it takes a lot to convince those key someones to give you millions of dollars for social good as opposed to a known actor.)
Re:Why education startups do not succeed
by stevenschronk on Sunday May 12, 2013 @02:34PM
(#5695299)
I wonder how Kahn Academy is making money. Looks like they are getting donations. This makes me wonder how sustainable this kind of site is.
Sal Khan's vision of what education should be like is spot on and I strongly agree with him. He seems to be sincere about this thing and has received millions in donations.
This is not a company looking for success by means of an 'exit'. They are actually making a difference to millions of students. In doing that they're being successful.
Wish we could see more of this instead of useless, gimmicky stuff.