The StackOverflow business model might be an interesting case study: the goal has usually [1] been community first and any monitization being done using that community&#x27;s exhaust fumes. I suppose there is a plausible case that that&#x27;s Hacker News&#x27;s business model too...attract people who might apply to YC, get in, and build a successful startup.<p>[1]: StackExchange version 1.0 was an exception.