As someone who works in technology in the public sector at the state level, let me just say that there is tremendous greenfield opportunity for software startups within existing government programs. Probably every program that government runs requires one or more systems to administer it; these are often painfully legacy systems. We are starting to see startups in some of these niche line-of-business areas (Medical Marijuana licensing, Senior & Long Term Care services, ...) but there are many other areas yet untouched.
YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
51–60 of 226 posts
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#52The solution to income inequality is not going to come from venture capitalists and private companies. I have an idea for a non-profit that tackles a systemic problem, but I can't help but look at some of the other yc grads and think that their companies seem hopelessly out of touch with the problems they're trying to tackle. Promise is mentioned as "tackling mass incarceration", but their company seems geared more t…
To be sure I understand you clearly, are you making the claim that making sure people don't forget or lose track of court dates will help literally nobody avoid going to jail?
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#53Disregarding the misaligned incentives of for-profit enterprises delivering the kinds of services that are traditionally handled by governments, what evidence is there that technology can materially improve many of these services?
Many of the needs listed in the post (housing, education, food security, etc) are largely challenges of resource allocation. I'm skeptical that a web app can somehow make landowners willing to encourage increasing the housing stock in a city.
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#54The solution to income inequality is not going to come from venture capitalists and private companies. I have an idea for a non-profit that tackles a systemic problem, but I can't help but look at some of the other yc grads and think that their companies seem hopelessly out of touch with the problems they're trying to tackle. Promise is mentioned as "tackling mass incarceration", but their company seems geared more t…
I honestly disagree. There are many people in jail now pre-trial because the government is worried that they won't appear for trial. As a result these people often lose their jobs and their housing -- even if it turns out they are not guilty. Better software and technology can help address this problem.
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#55Earlier quoted context omitted.
Why the focus on only profit making for-profit companies when the bulk of what you mentioned is currently being serviced by non-profits?
When non-profits succeed they have to ask for more money. When for-profits succeed, they fund themselves. So it's far better for a for-profit to solve a given problem than a non-profit, as they are inherently more scalable.
> When non-profits succeed they have to ask for more money. When for-profits succeed, they fund themselves.
Having managed a non-profit and having worked at a very successful one before, this just makes you sound so out-of-touch it's not even funny.
Yes, some non-profits are driven by donations, but many are not.
> So it's far better for a for-profit to solve a given problem than a non-profit, as they are inherently more scalable.
If by, "more scalable," you mean, "less accountable," then you're correct.
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#56Disregarding the misaligned incentives of for-profit enterprises delivering the kinds of services that are traditionally handled by governments, what evidence is there that technology can materially improve many of these services? Many of the needs listed in the post (housing, education, food security, etc) are largely challenges of resource allocation. I'm skeptical that a web app can somehow make landowners willing…
It is hard to predict how a small startup can grow to address a huge problem until after they do it. What we want to do is back the founders who are at least trying to solve these problem.
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
The solution to income inequality probably isn't going to come from governments either sadly.
It has to come from politics. Capitalism unregulated will pretty much always lead to a few accumulating more and more and increasing their power.
> Capitalism unregulated
There isn't a country on earth that allows for unregulated capitalism.
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#58As someone who works in technology in the public sector at the state level, let me just say that there is tremendous greenfield opportunity for software startups within existing government programs. Probably every program that government runs requires one or more systems to administer it; these are often painfully legacy systems. We are starting to see startups in some of these niche line-of-business areas (Medical M…
We agree :)
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#59The solution to income inequality is not going to come from venture capitalists and private companies. I have an idea for a non-profit that tackles a systemic problem, but I can't help but look at some of the other yc grads and think that their companies seem hopelessly out of touch with the problems they're trying to tackle. Promise is mentioned as "tackling mass incarceration", but their company seems geared more t…
> It's ridiculous to suggest that an app that sends reminders of court dates will make an impact on any of these problems.
I listened to a podcast with the founder. She was impressive.
In terms of the impact of reminders, you'd be surprised. One of the student loan guarantors tried a model where they were paid more if they kept people paying their loans. Their program was very successful with just well-timed reminders and calls. It was pretty amazing.
Re: YC's request for startups: Government 2.0
#60I'm genuinely doubtful that people would want a tech-associated fund to try and mess around running the government. I mean tech doesn't get much of good press lately. Not that I agree with that sentiment, but "something needs to be done with Facebook!" is one of the few things that both US parties seem to agree on.
Hmm - I'd reread the RFS. YC is not interested in running the government.