Yes, there have been similar ideas before. I hope the OP has read [url=Create your own course thread[/url].
But this one doesn’t sound ‘hyped’ and it does sound like they have more of the pieces already in place. I would be interested in knowing more about how this marketing is going to happen though.
I already met the OP in person, and was impressed enough that I’d like to go to one of his meetings to learn more.