The real problem with a crowdsourced startup is that there's less room to pivot to a new product or business model once it becomes clear the original plan's not

The real problem with a crowdsourced startup is that there's less room to pivot to a new product or business model once it becomes clear the original plan's not going to work. VCs are happy when startups pivot as long as they get a big payout. Folks who donate to an open federated Facebook aren't going to be nearly as supportive of major shifts in focus.