This is the key to it. Technology development isn't the point of an investment in a company like this (though some new tech will be needed and created). You need to find editors, create partnerships, advertise (as dirty a word as that may be) and provide runway to iterate. A question site on graphic design might be different than one on cooking and even more different from one on the finer points of SQL. I do think the land grab comparison is fair. If you can get into the verticals quickly and establish a lead in content it is that much harder for the next guy.
I like 37S, but I don't get the compulsive need to criticize anyone that takes funding or sells their company as a sell out.
I like 37S, but I don't get the compulsive need to criticize anyone that takes funding or sells their company as a sell out.