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

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

#72
post #20
post #18

When shell we expect a reply to our submission if we submitted our project one month ago, I know that the session is still opened, but the early projects aren't responded until the submission period is over? Thanks

April 7. http://ycombinator.com/apply.html

April 7th can't come soon enough!

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

#73
Shortly after submitting our application, my co-founder (technical half) informed me he could no longer devote the time necessary to the startup for various personal reasons. This caught me completely off guard and I was pretty bummed. Determined not to let this phase me, I called another friend the next day who had been really interested in the idea and asked him if he would want to be my co-founder. He agreed and now he's on board.

I have since removed my original co-founder from the application and I plan to update the application with my new co-founders information. I wanted to know if there was a particular way I should handle such an update to the application? I guess I am also curious to know how this might affect our application, and whether this has occurred before? Thanks for any help in advance.

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

#75
post #20
post #18

When shell we expect a reply to our submission if we submitted our project one month ago, I know that the session is still opened, but the early projects aren't responded until the submission period is over? Thanks

April 7. http://ycombinator.com/apply.html

Hi pg, thanks for the answer. The problem is that the time frame from 7th April to 23 rd April is quite little for outside US residence. The ones that need a visa to get to the US could not make it on time not because of them but because of the process to get the visa for US. thanks

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

#76
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

(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?

No, it's not a problem. This happens to lots of startups even after we fund them. If you can talk intelligently about why your previous project isn't working, that's actually a point in your favor.

A startup is a unique endeavor where failure is generally viewed as a positive experience.

Getting fired from a job hardly looks good on a resume, but having a failed startup under your belt is almost seen as a badge of honor.

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

#78
post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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. Thank you for responding.

It absolutely makes sense for a lot of business relationships to be based on "You remove as many sources of risk as possible and in return I commit to use my skills on your behalf." The name for that business relationship is "employment."

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

#79
post #2

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

PG: How do I know if this time is the right time to apply? Group of 4(!) founders. Heavily leaning towards waiting until Winter or next Summer.

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

#80
post #2

Also, 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'…

I applied to TechStars with a 3 man team a few months ago. We had full time jobs but gave the above line- that we were willing to more seriously commit if we got into the program.

We didn't get in. They advised us that you can send a much stronger signal if you've already committed. The best indicator of future commitment to a startup is past commitment.

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