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?…
Actually I had 2 co-founders. The trouble was that we eventually run out of money and they quit. I stayed. But I was forced to start a construction company in order to make some money and I grew it from $0 to 500k in sales. But damn it! I'm a programmer! I want to write a software. I really think that if you're seeking for exceptional people than you should give a chance for exceptional single founders too under some…
We do accept exceptional single founders. We've funded several of them. If you're so determined that you started a successful construction company, you could be one.
Yes, it's successful and I also managed to negotiate a partnership with IKEA. A unique experience! I did all that just to be able one day to return to my startup. We've been featured on ReadWriteWeb and 400+ ppl have subscribed for our beta, but this achievement was not helpful when my co-founders decided to quit...Looking back I can say that although I learned a lot running construction business, that was a mistake. And I want to fix it now. I would be happy if YC will review my application having in mind who is the person behind it.
Also, if anyone has any questions about applying that aren't answered on our site, feel free to ask them here.
My cofounder and I both have mortgages and good jobs. We will be making a daring life change, but my co-founder has family commitments which prevent him from leaving town for months.
Should I apply to attend alone or really scour my list of talented acquaintances? How often do you take teams with only one member on-site?
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?…
Here's a quote from the application form:
We look at online demos only for the most promising
applications, so don't skimp on the application because
you're relying on a good demo.
Is there any sort of NDA attached to the application? How can I be sure that if I'm rejected and then one of the accepted teams tosses their idea, you won't just hand them mine to work on?
(I'm aware that there are differing theories out there on the merit of shrouding a startup idea in secrecy, and my own personal opinion on the matter is that it totally depends on the idea. But the question still holds.)
If you were interested in funding a single applicant, but only if they had a co-founder, would you reach out and tell them that or would you just toss the application in the reject pile?
We wouldn't want someone to get a cofounder just for our sake. We want them to want to themselves. And if they wanted to and could, they already would have. So there wouldn't be any point in telling anyone to go get one. When we fund single founders, we usually suggest they try to find cofounders if they can. But we can't force them to, and not all do.
Based on the similar questions popping up it seems that my situation is common : plenty of talented people are ready to commit as soon as funding is certain.