Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
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Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#2I like YC as much as the next guy, but here's an important question: Why have we never seen a blog post saying that it's not worth it?
Even if YC has an extremely high satisfaction rate, the sheer number of startups they've funded has to have left at least one with a bad taste in their mouth.
I love hearing feedback like this and I almost never get tired of reading this article (especially when it has a good spin to it, like this). I'm just interested to hear a dissenting opinion. (If one is out there, please link me.)
Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#3I like YC as much as the next guy, but here's an important question: Why have we never seen a blog post saying that it's not worth it? Even if YC has an extremely high satisfaction rate, the sheer number of startups they've funded has to have left at least one with a bad taste in their mouth. I love hearing feedback like this and I almost never get tired of reading this article (especially when it has a good spin to…
Because people do not criticize the alma-mater and mentor, especially as influential as, YC (and by extension PG) in public.
Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#4I like YC as much as the next guy, but here's an important question: Why have we never seen a blog post saying that it's not worth it? Even if YC has an extremely high satisfaction rate, the sheer number of startups they've funded has to have left at least one with a bad taste in their mouth. I love hearing feedback like this and I almost never get tired of reading this article (especially when it has a good spin to…
Actually it's possible to say when it wouldn't be worth it: http://paulgraham.com/equity.html
I think the reason we don't often hear about borderline cases is that the market is truncated at the high end by later stage investors, who wouldn't allow the startups they'd funded to participate in YC even if they'd be net ahead as a result. I.e. I've seen more than one series A funded startup that we could have helped sufficiently to justify the dilution. But (as of this writing) no VC would let one of their series A funded companies do YC.
As for funding a large number of companies, that's net beneficial as long as we can devote sufficient attention to each one, because it means the alumni network they become part of is larger. And we know we're able to devote sufficient attention to each one because we can measure it in (a) office hour signups (I have office hours this afternoon and there are still open slots) and (b) how well each batch does after Demo Day (more startups in the summer 2010 batch have raised additional funding than any previous batch).
Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#5Darius is the man. Agreed with him 100%. I'll also look at YC % as "advisory shares". You are actually getting a great deal considering the knowledge and experience from the whole YC alumni network.
Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#6I like YC as much as the next guy, but here's an important question: Why have we never seen a blog post saying that it's not worth it? Even if YC has an extremely high satisfaction rate, the sheer number of startups they've funded has to have left at least one with a bad taste in their mouth. I love hearing feedback like this and I almost never get tired of reading this article (especially when it has a good spin to…
Dissenting Opinion: YC has some of the most uncomfortable chairs.
Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#7I like YC as much as the next guy, but here's an important question: Why have we never seen a blog post saying that it's not worth it? Even if YC has an extremely high satisfaction rate, the sheer number of startups they've funded has to have left at least one with a bad taste in their mouth. I love hearing feedback like this and I almost never get tired of reading this article (especially when it has a good spin to…
Because people do not criticize the alma-mater and mentor, especially as influential as, YC (and by extension PG) in public.
Just my thoughts... I think a lot of the people that have a bad experience did so by their own actions. A lot of people flame out during YC... but that it's because of founder issues, personal issues, legal problems... etc.
They just quietly go away.
Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#8Great article.
I wouldn't consider YC until they let you stay in NYC (would cost me too much to leave in terms of present business (get on this Alexis (the East doesn't need an ambassador but rather an embassy))), but the % valuations they give are truly a drop in the bucket.
Yes companies get "screwed" by YC's initial valuation but in the long run it works out great for them. The demo-day investments, as well as the "@ev tweetability factor", are awesome things YC gives at a bargain of whatever % they ask for. And with that compiled into the equation, each % is probably worth 100k.
Do I think PG gets a piece of startups at a ridiculous deal? Yes. But that just shows PG and YC are the sort of folk you'd do well to listen to and partner with. And I can think of a few YC startups who came back for more.
Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#9I like YC as much as the next guy, but here's an important question: Why have we never seen a blog post saying that it's not worth it? Even if YC has an extremely high satisfaction rate, the sheer number of startups they've funded has to have left at least one with a bad taste in their mouth. I love hearing feedback like this and I almost never get tired of reading this article (especially when it has a good spin to…
Actually it's possible to say when it wouldn't be worth it: http://paulgraham.com/equity.html I think the reason we don't often hear about borderline cases is that the market is truncated at the high end by later stage investors, who wouldn't allow the startups they'd funded to participate in YC even if they'd be net ahead as a result. I.e. I've seen more than one series A funded startup that we could have helped suf…
Most who decide it's not worth it would (or rather, should) do so ahead of time. I see.
Still, give a free car to a hundred people and at least one will complain about the color of the interior. There's gotta be a sour YC alumnni out there somewhere.
Even if he has no right blaming YC, I'd still like to hear his side of the story.
Re: Should We Do Y Combinator? We're further along than most
#10I like YC as much as the next guy, but here's an important question: Why have we never seen a blog post saying that it's not worth it? Even if YC has an extremely high satisfaction rate, the sheer number of startups they've funded has to have left at least one with a bad taste in their mouth. I love hearing feedback like this and I almost never get tired of reading this article (especially when it has a good spin to…
Dissenting Opinion: YC has some of the most uncomfortable chairs.
Downright dangerous, too.