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Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

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41–50 of 64 posts

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#41
post #10

Companies which have publicly disclosed that were rejected by YC and have since raised >$20m: * Chartboost * Sendgrid * LightSail I've seen it claimed that Couchbase should be on this list, but I've never seen a primary source which verifies that they were rejected from YC.

I believe SeatGeek would also be in this category

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if investors consider it a negative to be a top company in another accelerator then. "Did you apply to and get rejected by YC?" must be a common question many investors now ask of companies that aren't YC alumni.

>> ""Did you apply to and get rejected by YC?" must be a common question many investors now ask of companies that aren't YC alumni." Is this a guess or do you have anything to back it up? It seems really strange to me. An investor shouldn't be judging you based on the judgement of another investor.

>> An investor shouldn't be judging you based on the judgement of another investor.

Hah!

You're right of course, but this happens all. the. time.

Investors and VCs are far from immune to herd mentality.

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#43
post #10

Companies which have publicly disclosed that were rejected by YC and have since raised >$20m: * Chartboost * Sendgrid * LightSail I've seen it claimed that Couchbase should be on this list, but I've never seen a primary source which verifies that they were rejected from YC.

Is it enough just to raise money from VCs to be "successful"? Many companies still fail even with great funding.

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#44
post #9

Buffer is very popular. https://open.buffer.com/buffers-y-combinator-application/

Here's what I see when I go to that Buffer page:

http://thumbsnap.com/i/nlgq33uo.png?0305

3 signup forms (1 in a modal) for their newsletter (and an additional link to signup for the newsletter at the end of the post).

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#45
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> ""Did you apply to and get rejected by YC?" must be a common question many investors now ask of companies that aren't YC alumni." Is this a guess or do you have anything to back it up? It seems really strange to me. An investor shouldn't be judging you based on the judgement of another investor.

>> An investor shouldn't be judging you based on the judgement of another investor. Hah! You're right of course, but this happens all. the. time. Investors and VCs are far from immune to herd mentality.

There is the chance the other investor knows something you don't know, etc. which means it isn't necessarily zero-information.

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To provide another perspective to integrate into your decisions. Listening to people doesn't mean doing what they say.

Sure, then what's wrong in Sam warning them about something?

It's not a warning, it's just a judgement that what they want to do is outside of his expertise and/or interest.

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if investors consider it a negative to be a top company in another accelerator then. "Did you apply to and get rejected by YC?" must be a common question many investors now ask of companies that aren't YC alumni.

>> ""Did you apply to and get rejected by YC?" must be a common question many investors now ask of companies that aren't YC alumni." Is this a guess or do you have anything to back it up? It seems really strange to me. An investor shouldn't be judging you based on the judgement of another investor.

I've absolutely had this happen. Potential VC called us out for not being in YC. Obviously it was not a good fit for either of us!

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#48
post #10

Companies which have publicly disclosed that were rejected by YC and have since raised >$20m: * Chartboost * Sendgrid * LightSail I've seen it claimed that Couchbase should be on this list, but I've never seen a primary source which verifies that they were rejected from YC.

Is there some kind of rule that every startup name has to be of the form NounNoun or VerbNoun?

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#49
post #48
post #10

Companies which have publicly disclosed that were rejected by YC and have since raised >$20m: * Chartboost * Sendgrid * LightSail I've seen it claimed that Couchbase should be on this list, but I've never seen a primary source which verifies that they were rejected from YC.

Is there some kind of rule that every startup name has to be of the form NounNoun or VerbNoun?

Well, ChartBoost is NounVerb, if that makes you feel better.

Re: Ask HN: Which successful startups were rejected by YC?

#50
post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there some kind of rule that every startup name has to be of the form NounNoun or VerbNoun?

Well, ChartBoost is NounVerb, if that makes you feel better.

boost is also a noun though
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