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Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

beta.yeurope.net

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Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#41

Post by Leonidas »

BitGeek wrote: post #29

Man, I'm amazed at the bitching here... Someone's trying to help foster startups in europe! The horror! There's no way it can be decent, right? Jesus..... Its not like the idea of doing early stage funding is that new, nor is the idea of havign an application form new. Ok, so the questions may not be original-- but that's flattery, its not like the YC form is a trade secret! Getting startups together for a fixed peri…

I think that it's great there's something like Y in Europe for startups. Anything that helps to promote entrepreneurs are great. The 'issue' here is that YEurope, the "Y" implies that you're associated with YCombinator...which is kind of misleading. Secondly, the questions are exactly the same as the Y right down to the period. The program could have reworded it, took out irrelevant questions or add some more like TechStars did. Thirdly, the design of the site looks relatively similar to that of Y's with the huge sliding picture in the front.

If you want to use the questions right down to the period, might have been better if you emailed and asked the Y team if you could do that.

I know its weird and you're probably thinking, who cares if they copy right down to the period? Its giving entrepreneurs a chance. Yes, but at least give credit where credit is due.

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#42

Post by Harj »

The problem with this is that I can't see the people involved. Who are the investors? What are their backgrounds? Why are they going to increase my chances of success?

Replicating the YC seed funding model is fair game. What I find irritating (and btw I'm very keen to see more European start ups funded so I'm not outright attacking you for the sake of it) is that people replicate the easy parts without putting the effort into the hard parts of YC.

Easy parts = Getting money and an application form

Hard parts = Getting high profile speakers every week to talk with founders, putting together an investor day with the most high profile investors in the world, providing real mentorship, creating a supportive community.

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#43

Post by create_account »

jey wrote: post #40
Sam_Odio wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It also implies a collaboration with YC, which doesn't exist. Regardless, I think it will be hard to fully replicate the YC model, because it's unlikely these firms will generate the following YC has. This following equates to attention, press, prestige and connections for all the new YC companies. Without all that, all you have is an angel investor. And there's nothing new about that. Really, when it comes down to i…

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Really, these guys aren't claiming to be YCombinator II. They're just validating the model and wanting to do something similar in Europe. They clearly state on their page "This site is inspired by, but not affiliated with YCombinator." The YCombinators should be flattered, and everyone who participates in YC can give themselves a pat on the back for being funded by the o…

You're right about the YC idea of small amounts for seed funding.

But copying the name, the index page slideshow, the application form: isn't that just out and out plaigarism?

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#44

Post by create_account »

Sam_Odio wrote: post #39
pg wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Possibly people were offended more by the plagiarism than the desire to fund startups in Europe. It is a bit much calling the thing Y Europe, for example. Seed funding doesn't require your name begin with Y.

It also implies a collaboration with YC, which doesn't exist. Regardless, I think it will be hard to fully replicate the YC model, because it's unlikely these firms will generate the following YC has. This following equates to attention, press, prestige and connections for all the new YC companies. Without all that, all you have is an angel investor. And there's nothing new about that. Really, when it comes down to i…

Ok, Odio, that's enough sucking up out of you.

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#45

Post by Sam_Odio »

create_account wrote: post #44
Sam_Odio wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It also implies a collaboration with YC, which doesn't exist. Regardless, I think it will be hard to fully replicate the YC model, because it's unlikely these firms will generate the following YC has. This following equates to attention, press, prestige and connections for all the new YC companies. Without all that, all you have is an angel investor. And there's nothing new about that. Really, when it comes down to i…

Ok, Odio, that's enough sucking up out of you.

I'm surprised you think that's sucking up. Was it that I was complimenting the YC business model? Please elaborate...

I'm not sure what motivation I would have to suck up, either. I'm not applying for funding, nor do I have any plans to.

However the point remains, without the YC's following (us), the company is just another angel investor / incubator. And that's already been done. These guys are trying to copy YC, but forgetting about its one biggest differentiating factor.

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#46

Post by ntoshev »

pg wrote: post #38
BitGeek wrote: post #29

Man, I'm amazed at the bitching here... Someone's trying to help foster startups in europe! The horror! There's no way it can be decent, right? Jesus..... Its not like the idea of doing early stage funding is that new, nor is the idea of havign an application form new. Ok, so the questions may not be original-- but that's flattery, its not like the YC form is a trade secret! Getting startups together for a fixed peri…

Possibly people were offended more by the plagiarism than the desire to fund startups in Europe. It is a bit much calling the thing Y Europe, for example. Seed funding doesn't require your name begin with Y.

I'm going to be a little harsh here.

Most people don't care much about plagiarism, they just think YC is a much better deal than its clones. And it is all about perception. The current clones look lame even at a first glance. If another tech celebrity tries to do the same thing, it would be a different story. A track record of successful startups would help you, but if you are right about the major shift towards startups, there is no way on Earth to keep all that market for yourself.

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#47

Post by randallsquared »

Sam_Odio wrote: post #45
create_account wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok, Odio, that's enough sucking up out of you.

I'm surprised you think that's sucking up. Was it that I was complimenting the YC business model? Please elaborate... I'm not sure what motivation I would have to suck up, either. I'm not applying for funding, nor do I have any plans to. However the point remains, without the YC's following (us), the company is just another angel investor / incubator. And that's already been done. These guys are trying to copy YC, bu…

It's funny. Laugh. Probably he wasn't serious. :)

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#48

Post by randallsquared »

create_account wrote: post #43
jey wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Really, these guys aren't claiming to be YCombinator II. They're just validating the model and wanting to do something similar in Europe. They clearly state on their page "This site is inspired by, but not affiliated with YCombinator." The YCombinators should be flattered, and everyone who participates in YC can give themselves a pat on the back for being funded by the o…

You're right about the YC idea of small amounts for seed funding. But copying the name, the index page slideshow, the application form: isn't that just out and out plaigarism?

If they're not claiming it's their work, I'd say it isn't plaigarism. (And they don't appear to be, as of comment time).

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#49

Post by parlin »

enki wrote: post #24
Tichy wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Certainly the value of YCombinator is bringing interesting people together. I don't think the Valley is the only place in the world with interesting people, though. YEurope doesn't look too promising, though - the cloning approach leaves a negative impression. If they are so cutting edge, surely they would have been able to come up with their own scheme. Also, they don't say how they will come up with interesting spe…

take a look at http://metalab.at/wiki/Folder:V5a-en - we've spent years building up a thriving community. we had planned to launch in 2008 with the money from our first successful startups, but half a week ago the opportunity has arisen to start in 2007. we could have spent more time pretending to look different like techstars has done, but what good would that do? we rather launch now and face the critics. we are op…

Hi YEurope! I am part of the Ycombinator batch that started this January. I dont understand the voices that are negative about other startup incubators like yours etc. The more initiatives that enable ideas to become companies, the better I say. So I say go for it!

hey I wasnt sure if your website was serious at first, or trying to make fun of Ycomb since you have pics of those guys sitting in the street with fake graphs...

yeah, and how about YNotEurope, or ECombinator for name? :)

Re: Y Combinator Clone in Vienna, Austria launches

#50

Post by yaacovtp »

pg wrote: post #38
BitGeek wrote: post #29

Man, I'm amazed at the bitching here... Someone's trying to help foster startups in europe! The horror! There's no way it can be decent, right? Jesus..... Its not like the idea of doing early stage funding is that new, nor is the idea of havign an application form new. Ok, so the questions may not be original-- but that's flattery, its not like the YC form is a trade secret! Getting startups together for a fixed peri…

Possibly people were offended more by the plagiarism than the desire to fund startups in Europe. It is a bit much calling the thing Y Europe, for example. Seed funding doesn't require your name begin with Y.

Especially when the "Y" part of the name actually means something in context. Too bad ybother.com is gone. It could have make for a great name for a web 2.0 graveyard.
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