Github solves a problem that I don't have, but that doesn't mean it's a bad product right?
Not to argue with you specifically, but the concept of "solves a problem I don't have" isn't really an issue. I use Uber frequently because I don't drive (NYC), you may not if you have a car. Is Uber a shitty company? Nope, its pretty awesome, but it solves a problem for a small subset of people.
Same with Coin.
I highly doubt YC would have taken on coin if they didn't have a large market to go after. Whether or not it applies to me is less important and that seems to get lost in these conversations (which is weird being on HN).
>its pretty awesome, but it solves a problem for a small subset of people. Same with Coin. I highly doubt YC would have taken on coin if they didn't have a large market to go after.
Not to quibble, but you have some contradictions lurking in there. On one hand, you're saying that, like Uber, Coin solves a problem for a small subset of people. OTOH, you're saying that they are addressing a big market.
It's an important distinction if you're making the argument that the parent's personal need for the service doesn't matter. That is, if this is supposed to be a mass-market product, then "random" people (including the parent and others on HN) opining about their need for it is much more relevant than in the case of a niche product that is intended for a small audience.
"Small subset of people" contradicts a "big market"? Assuming $50 per coin, they have $50M of revenue if they have 1M buyers. $500M revenue for 10M buyers. 10 times revenue multiple, and you are looking at a $500M-$5B company.
Well, I don't consider 10M buyers a small subset of people.
In any event, "small subset" vs. "large market" are the parent's words. And, yes, of course a product that is aimed at a small subset of the market is the opposite of a product that is aimed at a large market. So, it contradicts, as you say.
These are relative terms that speak to the size of the market being addressed, so by definition small vs. large are opposites.
Perhaps the parent meant to say a "small, but profitable market".
