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What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

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Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#41

Post by sytse »

dvdhsu wrote: post #39
sytse wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, please coordinate with kirsten@gitlab.com for a 25 minute Google Hangout with me, please link to this comment in your email to her. If the advice is generic enough we might work with you to publish it https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/people-operations/ceo-pref... (you have a final say in what gets published). This process was also used to produce the OP.

Sid, are you willing to meet with us quickly too? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sure! Are you able to join https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12616194 ?

Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#42

Post by dvdhsu »

sytse wrote: post #41
dvdhsu wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sid, are you willing to meet with us quickly too? It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Sure! Are you able to join https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12616194 ?

If possible, private would be better for us. I'd be happy to make literally any 25' slot you have over the next 2 days. This is really generous of you, and we really appreciate it. Thanks!

Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#43

Post by sytse »

dvdhsu wrote: post #42
sytse wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure! Are you able to join https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12616194 ?

If possible, private would be better for us. I'd be happy to make literally any 25' slot you have over the next 2 days. This is really generous of you, and we really appreciate it. Thanks!

No problem, please email kirsten@gitlab.com to coordinate a time, please link to this comment, if you want it the next 2 days my preference is Sunday 4pm Pacific but I'm not sure that works for you. I propose we do https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/people-operations/ceo-pref... (you get to redact the notes)

Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#44

Post by vbhartia »

sytse wrote: post #27
vbhartia wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree - It really feels like YC is now geared towards more later stage companies. Companies that are in the growth phase vs. finding product market fit. Also you have to be full time on your idea in order to be taken seriously. Is that a misconception?

YC is still very much accepting companies that are still finding product market fit. But as far as I know you it really helps if you're willing to commit full time.

Yeah - definitely able to go full time after. It's hard and very privileged to be able to go full time now when the company is so early stage.

Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#46

Post by dvdhsu »

sytse wrote: post #43
dvdhsu wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If possible, private would be better for us. I'd be happy to make literally any 25' slot you have over the next 2 days. This is really generous of you, and we really appreciate it. Thanks!

No problem, please email kirsten@gitlab.com to coordinate a time, please link to this comment, if you want it the next 2 days my preference is Sunday 4pm Pacific but I'm not sure that works for you. I propose we do https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/people-operations/ceo-pref... (you get to redact the notes)

The time and process are both fine by us. Just sent an email to Kirsten -- thanks for taking the time again!

Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#47

Post by sbardle »

sytse wrote: post #23
jnpatel wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sid, willing to meet with us too? It'd be very appreciated! (I totally understand you can't do this for everyone who'll ask.) P.S. I'm also open to a peer feedback session for anyone else applying!

I'd be happy to. Shall we make it a video call other people can join too? Tomorrow, Saturday, at 11:00 Pacific? I'll be in https://gitlab.zoom.us/j/351494573 at that time for anyone that can discuss their application publicly. If you attend please comment so, if you can't also comment so we can try to find an alternative. By the way, I'm a YC participant and not a YC partner. I don't speak for YC and I'm just trying…

I'm in on this, thanks very much.

Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#48

Post by open-source-ux »

sytse wrote: post #2

GitLab CEO here, AMA

In your Y Combinator application, you say:

"...to create and grow a competitive open source offering you need to have a proprietary commercial version to generate scalable revenue, support income alone is not enough."

I've often wondered if you can make money selling an open source software product that isn't dependent on support or services. In your application form, you're essentially saying this isn't possible.

Do you have any advice for people creating open source products regarding this view of open source vs closed source for sales and revenue?

Do you still feel that anyone with an open source product should also be providing a closed-source commercial version which will actually be the main source of revenue?

How have people in the Open Source field reacted to this viewpoint given that there is a strong negative reaction to closed source in some quarters.

I'd love to find a way of selling an open source product that didn't have to rely on a service contract or support for revenue. Is it impossible without a closed source offering?

Any thoughts, much appreciated.

Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#49

Post by misra8 »

sytse wrote: post #23
jnpatel wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sid, willing to meet with us too? It'd be very appreciated! (I totally understand you can't do this for everyone who'll ask.) P.S. I'm also open to a peer feedback session for anyone else applying!

I'd be happy to. Shall we make it a video call other people can join too? Tomorrow, Saturday, at 11:00 Pacific? I'll be in https://gitlab.zoom.us/j/351494573 at that time for anyone that can discuss their application publicly. If you attend please comment so, if you can't also comment so we can try to find an alternative. By the way, I'm a YC participant and not a YC partner. I don't speak for YC and I'm just trying…

We will be there as SalesLoggr,we are sending our application to the email address on the comment above thanks for doing this

Re: What Founders Ask Founders About Getting into Y Combinator

#50

Post by agibsonccc »

open-source-ux wrote: post #48
sytse wrote: post #2

GitLab CEO here, AMA

In your Y Combinator application, you say: "...to create and grow a competitive open source offering you need to have a proprietary commercial version to generate scalable revenue, support income alone is not enough. " I've often wondered if you can make money selling an open source software product that isn't dependent on support or services. In your application form, you're essentially saying this isn't possible. D…

Another open core YC founder here. Can confirm it's the best way to go. Pure oss tends to become services heavy quick.

Another thing to think about: If your open source support is good enough, they may not pay for your support offering either.

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