Ask HN: Is really Y Combinator selection process fair? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Is really Y Combinator selection process fair?

#21

Post by sdiwakar » Sat, Nov 17, 2012, 12:47 AM UTC

To be honest, I'm not particularly bummed that our team Contactable (http://becontactable.com) got rejected. If anything - its encouraging us to try to hustle harder, get a prototype to market, obtain paying customers and building a profitable business.

Although I was bummed about not getting through to the next round - I DO NOT feel that I was hard done by. In fact, YC partners clearly thought that there were better businesses to back or a better fit.

... and that's OK. The best thing to do, is to focus more of your energy towards your own startup.

I do not believe any of the processes need to change - if they realise something is broken, YC's partners will adjust accordingly. After all, they are also in business to make money - so if they start picking bad businesses to back, then they will change their application process accordingly.

Life's never fair, so just get over it and hustler harder!

Re: Ask HN: Is really Y Combinator selection process fair?

#22

Post by fearless » Sat, Nov 17, 2012, 1:20 AM UTC

rbargagli wrote: post #3

fearless wrote: post #2

There's no way for you to know the quality of the applicants who got an interview. Why do you think you're so entitled to an interview? YC doesn't owe you anything. Your suggestions are largely self-serving. There's no way to force alumni or anyone else to spend lots of time on every application, and limiting the number of apps just increases the chance YC will miss out on the next Dropbox.

I am not saying that I deserve an Interview, what I am saying is that ALL applications and materials NEED to be reviewed so they really don´t miss the next DropBox like you say.

All applications are reviewed. In your case, YC was able to decide your company/team isn't a good fit for them just by reading your app, without needing to see a video or demo.

Why should they be forced to spend an hour on every app when they can make a decision in the first few minutes?

Re: Ask HN: Is really Y Combinator selection process fair?

#23

Post by zoltar92 » Sat, Nov 17, 2012, 1:03 PM UTC

Our application didn't receive any hits either. I think they focus more on the people then the app. For example: how long have you guys worked together? How many times applied? I think the question about "hacking the world" plays a big part. As every founder knows, the application changes so much during development- that it's not really about the idea- it's about the parters. You need to have a history with your partners, you need to balance each other, you need to be creative and "think outside the box"(hacking). Lastly you need to show previous success. If they're investing time, money, credibility into you - they want to see previous success to know you have the right drive and you are a "winner". Just my thoughts. Good luck on your application!