The application deadline for our winter 2016 batch is next Tuesday, and people frequently have a lot of questions about applying. Also happy to talk about anything else!
EDIT 11:15 AM PDT: I have to go. This was fun!
I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
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Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#2Hi Sam, thanks for doing this.
Is there any advice you can give to young founders trying to get into YC or raise a seed round? It’s worth noting we’re students with graduation quickly approaching. I fear my previous applications weren’t seriously considered since my team and I lack true industry experience, which leaves us seemingly unqualified.
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#3Recently a plethora of startups working on new nuclear energy technology have been created: Transatomic power, Flibe, Helion and UPower (to name a few). These startups, respectively, have technology based on molten salt reactors (MSR), new fuels (Thorium), or new modalities (small distributed scale and fusion). Most of these startups face a huge challenge (and capital requirement) to go from idea/concept to pilot/demonstration plant. As Chairman of Helion and UPower how do you see these new startups commercializing their technology? Will they require partnerships with existing utilities and what is the expected timeline?
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#4Hi @sama. Are there any technologies that you would not consider funding?
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#5Hey Sam, would it be okay to use third party links to prove our market exists? - would the software that you use to scan through apps create a hyperlink and allow the partner reading the app to click thru?
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#6Hi @sama. Since anyone could have applied to YC Fellowship, do you think that it finally became just a small "seed round" for the startups that would win YC Winter 2016.
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#7Hi @sama, I'm From Brazil and CEO of an EdTech startup. We're profitable, with 60 employees and a lot consumer traction/revenue, but didn't raise a Series A yet. Questions:
1) What advice would you give to applicants from Brazil and other large countries (India, China, Russia), whose products initially target their local markets?
2) What advice would you give to post-Seed and pre-Series A applicants? When (if at all) would you consider them "too big for YC"?
3) If you select a post Seed startup, would YC invest at their latest valuation, or would it only offer the standard deal, even if it would be a "down round" for current investors?
Heard you are visiting India and know you've been to Mexico not long ago. Ever thought about coming to Brazil? Best regards, Bernardo
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#8I was wondering about the new open ip effort for the r&d lab. I work in the air force research lab and am working to do the same for us and other gov agencies. How do you plan to release/license ip... Marketing strategies, etc
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#9Will YCR accept donations from outsiders?
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#10@Sama,
So my question is about YC Research. You said in that earlier thread you will be hand picking the people. How exactly do you intend to do that if you don't me asking? Are you partnering with schools? Are they going to be recommended? Do you already have a database?