Wow, I'm the embodiment of HN being bad at subtext! :P On the one hand, I see your point, and I went and helped a little girl (as it happens, a different one).

Wow, I'm the embodiment of HN being bad at subtext! :P On the one hand, I see your point, and I went and helped a little girl (as it happens, a different one). Maybe it doesn't need to be sustainable. It sounds like they've got it covered for now, and if they "only" help a few hundred people before they have to look for other work, that's pretty good. On the other hand, I don't think it's off-topic to comment on the viability of a business model on a forum about startups. I know it's working in practice, but can it work in theory? :)