How will success be measured in YCR? Given that you mentioned decades-long efforts being acceptable, how will you differentiate between fruitful and fruitless research? Finally, are there any technologies you're particularly interested in and into which you're hoping to fund research?
I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
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Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#82Hi Sam,
We're a startup in a non-technical industry. We are high-growth minded, with a growing platform of users and plans to create connected hardware devices. What metrics would you need to see from a company like ours to make it into YC?
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#83Is it reasonable to view YC as a startup whose goal is to become a monopoly? If so, what competition is most worrying to you?
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#84What do you think about the economic disruption that is being caused be increased automation? As we develop broader and broader forms of automation, it seems like that disruption can only increase in both speed and quantity. What can YC and Silicon Valley as a whole to mitigate the problems this will cause?
I think that technology increases wealth but also concentrates it. We are all better off, but the inequality is likely to get worse over time. This has been going to some degree since the first tools were developed.
I'm not ready to talk in much detail yet, but I do think YC/SV/me personally can and should help address this.
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#85Hi Sam,
the YC Research announcement got me very excited, particularly as someone who experiences the pain points you described first hand on a daily basis.
First question, would YC Research be limited to the US or would you consider other countries (e.g. Canada in my case)?
Also, would you ever consider partnering with existing Public/Government institutions? There are lots of very good people already working on some really interesting projects (yes, even in the public sector :) ), and I believe they need support and direction (and some actual business sense). So to re-phrase my question, would YC Research ever consider some sort of support/consulting platform for existing (possibly public) organizations?
Thank you very much for taking the time!
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#86I'm considering applying for YC but I think my idea (a fairly simple time management app for smartwatches) might be a bit too modest. How small of an idea is too small?
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#87I'm considering applying for YC but I think my idea (a fairly simple time management app for smartwatches) might be a bit too modest. How small of an idea is too small?
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#88How long does it typically take the YC team to review an application?
It honestly hugely varies. Sometimes 2 minutes. The longest I've ever spent on a single application (where I had to do background research) was probably an hour. But I try for my normal cadence to be 6 per hour. Some applications that are really great or really bad are reviewed by only one of us, most are reviewed by about 3, and the ones near the cutoff are reviewed by a lot.
Thanks Sam. Really appreciate all the time you spend helping the community. It's amazing & inspiring.
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#89I'm currently on H1B, if we get accepted, will my working visa be a problem?
@billconan, u might be interested in unshackled.co. they hire onto a h1b.
as an immigrant entrepreneur myself, there are other visas other than a h-1b that would allow you to work/stay through YC.
Re: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA
#90I'm having trouble with the what are you making portion of the application. I know the product speaks for itself but no matter how I try to explain it to people they get confused without seeing it which means I'm not doing a great job of explaining it. Trying to compare it to existing technology doesn't work well with the product, or I can't find the right comparison. What's your advice on how to best answer this question, aside from being concrete and matter of fact?