First, read this if you haven't. http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html If you email me specifics I can give you some sp

First, read this if you haven't. http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html If you email me specifics I can give you some specific feedback as you start writing your application. However, (A) is probably the right answer: it is good to demonstrate to YC that you have multiple paths to success, especially because the ideas for these startups tend to change over the course of the Y Combinator program and behind. Just be very, very specific about what you're going to do. Not being an obvious acquisition target for Big Internet absolutely does not disqualify you or even hurt you. Your basic idea is a good one that will make you money -- and if you have real revenue you can always sell a company. Wufoo is the canonical example of a YC company going strong as an independent. So, my universal suggestion, would be to apply with your biggest picture vision, while focusing on that big picture as a specific, well-defined product rather than as services for individual clients.