Well, the subscription box model is working out okay for the likes of Tonx (coffee - http://tonx.org - and delicious coffee at that) but I'm not aware that they're trying to go the Silicon Valley venture-capital startup route at all.
Tonx really does provide a product that is passion driven though. Most people are not passionate about new razors or underwear or toilet paper. You're glad to have it but you have little emotional attachment in the way of something like coffee.
