Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
1–10 of 30 posts
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#2One interesting observation I've had: I've yet to encounter a YC funded company that has had a negative outcome from the YC program. I've talked to several in person and through email and its been nothing but positives.
I realize that its probably the successful ones who will be outspoken and positive, but still something worth noting.
The equity argument is plain stupid IMHO. I'm actually more curious with the trend that YC and its copies are creating with branding. It seems to be turning into a kind of "school" where its companies are identified as much by association with the program as the company's idea itself. So far this seems to be very good in generating publicity, but I am curious about the long term effects of this as there are more successfully funded companies and more copies pop up.
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#3One interesting observation I've had: I've yet to encounter a YC funded company that has had a negative outcome from the YC program. I've talked to several in person and through email and its been nothing but positives. I realize that its probably the successful ones who will be outspoken and positive, but still something worth noting. The equity argument is plain stupid IMHO. I'm actually more curious with the trend…
undoudtedly pg is getting better and better at spotting the entrepreneurs who are most likely to benefit from YC and who are receptive to the environment for making something big.
In doing so pg is definately making something YC funded companies want and appreciate. Hence the positive feedback. I love how fearless these startups are in going after big big markets, its insrpirational to susequent generations of YC founder.
May there be more black T shirts dished out soon.
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#4One interesting observation I've had: I've yet to encounter a YC funded company that has had a negative outcome from the YC program. I've talked to several in person and through email and its been nothing but positives. I realize that its probably the successful ones who will be outspoken and positive, but still something worth noting. The equity argument is plain stupid IMHO. I'm actually more curious with the trend…
undoudtedly pg is getting better and better at spotting the entrepreneurs who are most likely to benefit from YC and who are receptive to the environment for making something big. In doing so pg is definately making something YC funded companies want and appreciate. Hence the positive feedback. I love how fearless these startups are in going after big big markets, its insrpirational to susequent generations of YC fou…
On the flip side there are more and more applicants which counterbalances the improved selection. Also it's unlikely that anyone who got accepted would give a negative review of it because it's valuable even if it doesn't "work out".
With sites like http://overhear.us the phrase "they can't all be winners" springs to mind; however, I have a hard time believing they were more promising than the hundreds who got turned down. I'm not sold on the prophetic ability of YC.
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#5Earlier quoted context omitted.
undoudtedly pg is getting better and better at spotting the entrepreneurs who are most likely to benefit from YC and who are receptive to the environment for making something big. In doing so pg is definately making something YC funded companies want and appreciate. Hence the positive feedback. I love how fearless these startups are in going after big big markets, its insrpirational to susequent generations of YC fou…
On the flip side there are more and more applicants which counterbalances the improved selection. Also it's unlikely that anyone who got accepted would give a negative review of it because it's valuable even if it doesn't "work out". With sites like http://overhear.us the phrase "they can't all be winners" springs to mind; however, I have a hard time believing they were more promising than the hundreds who got turned…
I'd like to see the stats on overhear.us but my feeling is that a corporate backchannel can be a compelling timesink.
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#6Earlier quoted context omitted.
undoudtedly pg is getting better and better at spotting the entrepreneurs who are most likely to benefit from YC and who are receptive to the environment for making something big. In doing so pg is definately making something YC funded companies want and appreciate. Hence the positive feedback. I love how fearless these startups are in going after big big markets, its insrpirational to susequent generations of YC fou…
On the flip side there are more and more applicants which counterbalances the improved selection. Also it's unlikely that anyone who got accepted would give a negative review of it because it's valuable even if it doesn't "work out". With sites like http://overhear.us the phrase "they can't all be winners" springs to mind; however, I have a hard time believing they were more promising than the hundreds who got turned…
YC and pg do not even try to push the image of having prophetic ability. He repeats over and over that there are great ideas, business models, and people that are not selected.
I got interviewed for this summer. While I am disappointed that we were not selected, I understand that there's a bunch of great people, with great ideas, and only a handful of spots. When you're trying to pick the best 19 apples from a barrel of 420 apples, you're bound to throw out a couple good ones.
My question is, how many people that were not YC selected went on their own, and now are successful? same question but with people that were interviewed and not selected?
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#7Earlier quoted context omitted.
undoudtedly pg is getting better and better at spotting the entrepreneurs who are most likely to benefit from YC and who are receptive to the environment for making something big. In doing so pg is definately making something YC funded companies want and appreciate. Hence the positive feedback. I love how fearless these startups are in going after big big markets, its insrpirational to susequent generations of YC fou…
On the flip side there are more and more applicants which counterbalances the improved selection. Also it's unlikely that anyone who got accepted would give a negative review of it because it's valuable even if it doesn't "work out". With sites like http://overhear.us the phrase "they can't all be winners" springs to mind; however, I have a hard time believing they were more promising than the hundreds who got turned…
Overhear.us is an example of YC funding smart people, rather than any particular idea. Paul and Evan are smart and really good at what they do (development and design, respectively).
I agree that they may not have hit on the right idea for their skills yet (overhear.us is fun as hell to use and eats time like nothing else I've ever used, but it doesn't seem to be getting traction, so far), but I have no doubt they will build something great. They may end up going back to the drawing board (maybe even a few times) before doing it...but you'll hear about them again. They're still young...plenty of time to make a few mistakes before hitting on something great.
YC is a very early stage investor. They bet on people more than ideas. I believe betting on Paul and Evan was a well-placed bet, even if Socialmoth and Overhear.us never explode into popularity.
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#8Earlier quoted context omitted.
On the flip side there are more and more applicants which counterbalances the improved selection. Also it's unlikely that anyone who got accepted would give a negative review of it because it's valuable even if it doesn't "work out". With sites like http://overhear.us the phrase "they can't all be winners" springs to mind; however, I have a hard time believing they were more promising than the hundreds who got turned…
YC and pg do not even try to push the image of having prophetic ability. He repeats over and over that there are great ideas, business models, and people that are not selected. I got interviewed for this summer. While I am disappointed that we were not selected, I understand that there's a bunch of great people, with great ideas, and only a handful of spots. When you're trying to pick the best 19 apples from a barrel…
Interviewed for this summer but not selected.
I have no idea if we will be successful or not.. I know for certain though that we will keep trying until we are (which may be never). My co-founder is my cousin, so he isnt exactly going away :) He's keeps my fire lit and I do the same for him.
My biggest fear is not being able to move as fast as if we were in the YC program. I think YC is a gentle push to release as soon as possible, which is important. I suspect many of the early-stage teams who are rejected do not actually execute their idea and release. (Hence the apparent absence of successful "rejected" groups maybe?)
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
On the flip side there are more and more applicants which counterbalances the improved selection. Also it's unlikely that anyone who got accepted would give a negative review of it because it's valuable even if it doesn't "work out". With sites like http://overhear.us the phrase "they can't all be winners" springs to mind; however, I have a hard time believing they were more promising than the hundreds who got turned…
Overhear.us is an example of YC funding smart people, rather than any particular idea. Paul and Evan are smart and really good at what they do (development and design, respectively). I agree that they may not have hit on the right idea for their skills yet (overhear.us is fun as hell to use and eats time like nothing else I've ever used, but it doesn't seem to be getting traction, so far), but I have no doubt they wi…
Very well said. That site is a lot of fun to use... People who think they are prophetic regarding consumer internet ideas are kidding themselves. The only way to know whether an idea will work or not is to just go ahead and TRY IT. And Paul/Evan have already done this twice in such a small amount of time. That speed and taste for great execution is what YC's bet is.
Re: Virtualmin Founder Joe Cooper Explains Y Combinator to Slashdot Trolls
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
undoudtedly pg is getting better and better at spotting the entrepreneurs who are most likely to benefit from YC and who are receptive to the environment for making something big. In doing so pg is definately making something YC funded companies want and appreciate. Hence the positive feedback. I love how fearless these startups are in going after big big markets, its insrpirational to susequent generations of YC fou…
On the flip side there are more and more applicants which counterbalances the improved selection. Also it's unlikely that anyone who got accepted would give a negative review of it because it's valuable even if it doesn't "work out". With sites like http://overhear.us the phrase "they can't all be winners" springs to mind; however, I have a hard time believing they were more promising than the hundreds who got turned…
thanks for the call out and link : )
overhear.us is extremely experimental at this point and could change dramatically. we spent 6 weeks and made it on a whim and it has already proved useful as a feedback device internal to YC.
there remain a lot of obvious improvements to be made product, but it is an experiment. right now we are eyeing it and seeing how people are using it, and how we can get them to use it better.
i'd love to talk more about it, but i have a feeling i'm already being pulled in to an online war by responding to this comment.