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Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

ycombinator.com

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Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#61

Post by earbitscom »

simonw wrote: post #41

If you're still on the fence about whether or not you should reply, I suggest reading "What Happens at YC": http://ycombinator.com/atyc.html - that's the essay that convinced us to apply with Lanyrd, and it was everything the essay promised and more.

The best summary I have heard of whether or not to apply is:

"If you think you might need YC, you need it. If you think you might not need YC, you need it. If you are ABSOLUTELY SURE you don't need YC, you probably still do, but maybe not."

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#62

Post by charliepark »

lacker wrote: post #44
throwaway_1971 wrote: post #17

I would like to ask a question. We have a product. We have beta customers and it seems we will have revenue of about $30K/year (that is according to survey of existing customers). We believe the revenue should be 100M/year :) But we are not sure if we know what we don't know. We are old (in 40s) and geeks (never did any business before but we dreamed about). Does it make sense for us apply to Y combinator? Meaning wh…

Nowadays it is common for YC founders to be older. One group of founders had 9 kids between the 2 of them that they brought to Mountain View for this last YC batch. Those guys also had a product already, although after YC it is a few times larger and they raised a nice seed round. Go for it!

How were they able to afford it? Living off the money YC gives you is one thing if you're the proverbial single 20-something, much different if you're married with 4 or 5 (!) kids.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#63

Post by [deleted] »

zbruhnke wrote: post #54
Tofusensei wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're such a rockstar, why bother with YC at all?

I certainly am not claiming to be a Rockstar however I will answer your question in the best way I know how. I believe in people truly adding value, I know from experience (knowing YC Alums) that YC adds value and can turn a good product into a great product. I am not too proud to know that there are lots of people out there who are Faster, Stronger, Smarter and probably better looking than me however I am also aware…

[deleted]

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#64

Post by Tofusensei »

redorb wrote: post #51
Tofusensei wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're such a rockstar, why bother with YC at all?

I would say the same reason many established companies have. For the connections and learning that only YC can provide.

I wouldn't say anything YC provides can't be found elsewhere with some good old fashioned elbow grease and networking. But for a lot of people it will offer a big head start.

EDIT: What's with the downvotes? I thought HN was mostly hivemind-free, but I guess not when it comes to YC?

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#65

Post by mrkurt »

charliepark wrote: post #62
lacker wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nowadays it is common for YC founders to be older. One group of founders had 9 kids between the 2 of them that they brought to Mountain View for this last YC batch. Those guys also had a product already, although after YC it is a few times larger and they raised a nice seed round. Go for it!

How were they able to afford it? Living off the money YC gives you is one thing if you're the proverbial single 20-something, much different if you're married with 4 or 5 (!) kids.

Having kids just changes the equation a bit, it's not a unpassable roadblock. If you have 1/3rd of a dozen kids, you've probably had a job for a while, credit cards with excessively high limits, etc. It's not impossible to get enough savings to survive for a fixed amount of time, and the credit cards can provide a nice safety net just in case.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#66

Post by Harj »

ForrestN wrote: post #21

Sorry if this has been asked/answered before: is there a disadvantage to applying multiple times? In other words, is it better to wait until you are totally sure you have your strongest application, or is it worth taking the risk, and then applying again when you are further along with your project?

Just apply, it makes no difference to us whether you've applied before or not.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#67

Post by olivercameron »

zbruhnke wrote: post #55
olivercameron wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From my experience of entering YC as a single founder, you need to find a key and simple differentiator that separates you from all of the co-founded companies applying. It should be super clear and concise why you are going to succeed when other's aren't. Statistically, single founder companies fail a hell of a lot more than co-founded companies, you need to give them a reason to take a chance on you. Also, don't pl…

Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly make sure I try to set myself apart in the application process this time around. and btw I am a big fan of what you are doing with everyme! can't wait to see how the finished product turns out :)

Thanks! And good luck with the application.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#68

Post by alain94040 »

danberger wrote: post #50
rokhayakebe wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do not wait. A great cofounder is more likely to come along if you build it.

Don't you think that some people would be hesitant to join a startup as a cofounder with a product already in development?

It doesn't matter. Good co-founders are much more sensitive to the fact that you pitch your "great idea" and still haven't done anything about it -- based on experience organizing a co-founders meetup for two years now.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#69

Post by rokhayakebe »

danberger wrote: post #50
rokhayakebe wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do not wait. A great cofounder is more likely to come along if you build it.

Don't you think that some people would be hesitant to join a startup as a cofounder with a product already in development?

No. Actually these may be people who are very interested in startuping, but do not want to make the first jump.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#70

Post by angryasian »

spoiledtechie wrote: post #13

Shameless plug: I want to do this 100%. I have exhausted every single person I know who codes for the passed 4 years. It pretty much comes down to "They don't want to do the work and are completely happy in their current job". If anyone is interested, I would love to be your co-founder. I have built several websites. I am experienced in both C# and Java. Ive built several Android Apps. I know DBs like the back of my…

why haven't you built it yet ? The probability of being accepted as a solo founder would be greater, if you have a product and have traction if its an amazing idea.
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