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

ycombinator.com

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

#61

Post by dabent »

It says, "All six YC partners read applications. We each do it separately, to avoid groupthink."

This makes me curious about the process.

I assume this means that an application is at least initially seen by only one partner. I see the advantage in parallel processing, but what if one person rejects something the other five would have gone for?

What puts founders on the "let's interview" pile? Is it the choice of one reviewer, or are promising applications then reviewed by the remaining five (or maybe just pg) to see if there's an agreement?

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

#64

Post by flipside »

If the cofounders have only known each other for about 1 month, what can we do to reassure YC we'll work well together?

Would evidence of some random (yet to be done) side project help? Good chemistry in the video? Anecdotal evidence that we've built up trust and a good relationship? Good legal framework?

We are still actively building a larger team of course but these things take time. This is the only part of the application that worries me. =)

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

#65

Post by wulczer »

gilbax wrote: post #60
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 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 ?

See the answers to this question: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2251940

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

#66

Post by pg »

jgopman wrote: post #59
pg wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

I don't know; which direction is the gap in?

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

#67

Post by pg »

dabent wrote: post #61

It says, "All six YC partners read applications. We each do it separately, to avoid groupthink." This makes me curious about the process. I assume this means that an application is at least initially seen by only one partner. I see the advantage in parallel processing, but what if one person rejects something the other five would have gone for? What puts founders on the "let's interview" pile? Is it the choice of one…

The applications near the top get read by everyone. We meet in person (or in Rtm's case by Skype) to come up with the final list we're inviting to interviews.

In the past it was hard for anyone to unilaterally reject an application. Nearly all were seen by at least two of us. That will probably no longer be the case with this batch though, because we expect a lot of applications.

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

#68

Post by wengzilla »

pg wrote: post #66
jgopman wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

I don't know; which direction is the gap in?

I believe TS and Dreamit are both making decisions about a month before YC.

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

#69

Post by [deleted] »

gilbax wrote: post #60
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 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 ?

[deleted]
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