If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#1

Post by pg » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 6:31 PM UTC

If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
ycombinator.com

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#2

Post by pg » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 6:40 PM UTC

Also, if anyone has any questions about applying that aren't answered on our site, feel free to ask them here.

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#3

Post by runjake » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 6:47 PM UTC

What I got from this: "It's more about the person than the specific pitch. Maintaining a good, thoughtful presence on HN helps tremendously.

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#4

Post by amaranand » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 6:48 PM UTC

Thanks for putting this together. It was super helpful.

Another question that kind of sticks out as a wild card is:

Please tell us something surprising or amusing that one of you has discovered. (The answer need not be related to your project.)

Unfortunately, you don't really talk about it in the how-to. Is this not that important of a question for you? Is it just an opportunity to get a sense of the applicants personality? In general what are you trying to evaluate with this question?

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#5

Post by kingsidharth » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 6:51 PM UTC

Finished reading it yesterday when I was filling-up the form. It was really helpful. YC's form is worth filling for every start-up even if they are not applying. It brings so much clarity for your own self.

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#6

Post by pg » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 6:54 PM UTC

amaranand wrote: post #4

Thanks for putting this together. It was super helpful. Another question that kind of sticks out as a wild card is: Please tell us something surprising or amusing that one of you has discovered. (The answer need not be related to your project.) Unfortunately, you don't really talk about it in the how-to. Is this not that important of a question for you? Is it just an opportunity to get a sense of the applicants perso…

That's to learn what the personalities of the founders are like. Few things are so revealing as what amuses people.

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#7

Post by pg » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 6:58 PM UTC

runjake wrote: post #3

What I got from this: "It's more about the person than the specific pitch. Maintaining a good, thoughtful presence on HN helps tremendously.

The first half is certainly true, but don't overestimate the importance of HN. If you want to spend time on stuff that will impress us, it's better to spend it building things than commenting on HN.

Also, I'd say "people" rather than "person," because we care not just about the founders but about the strength of their relationship.

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#8

Post by mcdowall » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 6:59 PM UTC

pg wrote: post #2

Also, if anyone has any questions about applying that aren't answered on our site, feel free to ask them here.

I've already e-mailed Harj who helped clarify my points prior to application, however I have one more if I could trouble you.

I am currently trying to get a first working prototype of my site ready in time for the 20th with the explicit aim of selling my idea via the demo, given that you guys will no doubt be flooded with applications on that date would you advise submitting my information and the concept now anyhow?. Other than a working demo no other factors are likely to change.

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#9

Post by e1ven » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 7:00 PM UTC

pg wrote: post #2

Also, if anyone has any questions about applying that aren't answered on our site, feel free to ask them here.

Thanks for posting this again, it's a good reminder.

I'm not applying, but I'd love any insight into how the process of reviewing applications has changed in the last few cycles.

1) I know you have Harj on the west-coast, and Alexis on the East coast.. Has that made a difference in the way you review applications?

I know in the past, you've said that Harj was acting more as a back-end catchall, than a front-end filter. Is that still the process?

Are you having more pre-meetings on the east coast, now that Alexis is available to help screen people before their official interview?

2) Do you expect (or have you seen) any change due to the Yuri Milner announcement?

2a) Do you suspect this will encourage people to apply who might not have applied otherwise, due to needing more runway?

2b) I know(suspect?) that a lot of the core assumptions of the YC application process are based around "you have to get things done in 3 months.." This might lead you to reject projects that would take 6 months of work, even at YC-speed, to complete.

Does the Yuri Milner announcement affect this?

3) There's been a large growth in "YC-like" incubators/foundries/angel firms (TechStars being perhaps the most well known). How (if at all) have your procedures or operating assumptions changed, now that the world of funding is so different than it was in 2007?

Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator

#10

Post by anon1234 » Thu, Mar 10, 2011, 7:02 PM UTC

pg wrote: post #2

Also, if anyone has any questions about applying that aren't answered on our site, feel free to ask them here.

(anon for this)

What's your view on a founder of startup that's relatively young (6-12 months) but with some traction applying to YC with an idea for a completely different startup?

Would you consider it a negative that they're quitting on their earlier startup?