Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

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

ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 138 posts

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

#41

Post by mcdowall »

jey wrote: post #38
mcdowall wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Thanks.

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

#42

Post by ssp »

Joel Spolsky recently said[1] that if your whole attitude is "this thing can make me rich" as opposed to "this thing needs to exist", then maybe you don't have the passion required to run a startup.

Is that something you select for (or against)?

[1] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2298470

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

#43

Post by iqster »

saucerful wrote: post #39

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.)

I'm not affiliated with YC and these are just my thoughts:

Ideas are worth less than a dime a dozen. Being successful comes down to execution. In my experience, if an idea is really good, a number of people will come up with it at around the same time.

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

#44

Post by illumen »

illumen wrote: post #35
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.

A good application? Made over $1000000000, want to repeat.

Have you considered letting a hacker news style moderation system pick the applications for you? It seems to work well ;)

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

#46

Post by eggbrain »

saucerful wrote: post #39

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.)

I am not trying to speak for pg, so only take this as an advice of an entrepreneur:

Incubators like ycombinator have seen thousands of start-up ideas over the years. Most likely some of them overlapped, and there has probably been a good amount of duplication (deal of the day site--only for food!). If there was an NDA for every single one of these, any successful company that might have duplicated an idea unintentionally (ie, they came to the same idea themselves) might get in trouble later down the road when another entrepreneur says "hey, that was my idea, they must have stolen it!"

EDIT: seems like me and iqster had the same basic comment :)

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

#47

Post by pclark »

bloodcarter wrote: post #32
pg wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.…

You ran a construction company and grew it to $500k in revenue? Dude, I hope you literally spelt that out repeatedly in your YC application. :)

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

#48

Post by Wolf_Larsen »

saucerful wrote: post #39

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.)

There is plenty of documentation on www.ycombinator.com that answers this question.

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

#49

Post by ffumarola »

pg wrote: post #25
bloodcarter wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Me thinks I should have emphasized the exterior painting company I ran to pay my way through college, hah. Although not as relevant here since I'm not a single cofounder.

Time to go revisit the application, anyways.

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

#50

Post by ffumarola »

eggbrain wrote: post #46
saucerful wrote: post #39

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.)

I am not trying to speak for pg, so only take this as an advice of an entrepreneur: Incubators like ycombinator have seen thousands of start-up ideas over the years. Most likely some of them overlapped, and there has probably been a good amount of duplication (deal of the day site--only for food!). If there was an NDA for every single one of these, any successful company that might have duplicated an idea unintention…

With a better UI than OpenTable! ;)
Post reply on HN