I see that most applicants for YC are Programmers and Developers. How much importance does YC put into picking Developers vs. Designers vs. Business people when looking at the applications?
If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
51–60 of 138 posts
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#52Also, if anyone has any questions about applying that aren't answered on our site, feel free to ask them here.
I'm a single founder with an idea and a very early mvp with no traction but an idea on how it could be positioned/modified to be an interesting startup in a pretty hot area. If it moved forward (through YC or elsewhere) i have a team that i could put together that i think could then really move it forward. Have you ever said 'we like you, and we think the idea has potential... put the team together and we'll back ya'…
Think of the competition. http://gigaom.com/2010/03/23/y-combinator-matures-14-of-star...
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#53Does YC match up Founders with similar ideas to make 1 great idea?
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#54Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm a single founder with an idea and a very early mvp with no traction but an idea on how it could be positioned/modified to be an interesting startup in a pretty hot area. If it moved forward (through YC or elsewhere) i have a team that i could put together that i think could then really move it forward. Have you ever said 'we like you, and we think the idea has potential... put the team together and we'll back ya'…
Think of the competition. http://gigaom.com/2010/03/23/y-combinator-matures-14-of-star...
I don't really think of everyone else applying as competition. I'm more concerned with where I am, the ideas I have, and what I want to do with them. No one should let others' success be a reason not to do something
And now that I know I might meet Ashton Kutcher, I'm definitely going for it.
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#55I have a question regarding 1 minute video presentation required in the application.
Is it required that both the founders be on the video presentation?
I read in one of the comments by either Harj or PG that 'we look for chemistry between the founders in videos'.
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#56Is 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.
"Will you sign an NDA? How do I know you won't steal my idea?
No, we won't sign an NDA. No venture firm would at this stage. The informal commitment to secrecy on our application form is more than any VC would make.
In this connection you may want to read the first section of How to Start a Startup on the value of mere ideas."
Thanks, I missed this. The "informal commitment" is what I was looking for.
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#57I have a question regarding 1 minute video presentation required in the application. Is it required that both the founders be on the video presentation? I read in one of the comments by either Harj or PG that 'we look for chemistry between the founders in videos'.
This is recommended.
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#58Do you check the demo URL for all of the companies you offer interviews to?
"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."
That leads me to believe so, but thought I'd ask!
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#59Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 filte…
The biggest change is in the volume of applications. We've dealt with it by getting more partners, and relying more on alumni reviewers. BTW, Harj acts as a catch-all only for the late applications. He reads on-time applications just like the rest of us. I don't know yet what effect the Ronco/Yuri announcement will have. It probably won't change how we rank applications. All the other new YC-like organizations don't…
Do you know whether the new one month gap between YC acceptance and techstars acceptance will be a problem? E.G. Will the offers explode in a month? In not, when typically?
Re: If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
#60Also, if anyone has any questions about applying that aren't answered on our site, feel free to ask them here.
I was going to apply and found out that a YC W'11 startup was working on something extremely similar.
Do you consider applications on products that are similar to those of another YC company ? If yes, is there any history of YC doing this ?