Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#1

Post by jazzychad » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 10:00 PM UTC

Applying to YC as a Single Founder
blog.jazzychad.net

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#2

Post by johnrob » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 10:44 PM UTC

It would be great if someone started an incubator devoted to single founders, specifically tailoring the program to address some of the associated shortcomings. Perhaps it could also be a fertile ground to merge any compatible founders into teams.

If any angel(s) are looking for a niche in the incubator "market", this would be a pretty good one. Real value can be created if someone can increase the chances of success for single founders.

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#3

Post by flipside » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 10:59 PM UTC

I appreciate the post, I'm hoping to get my app in by tomorrow as a solo founder (though I am interviewing a potential cofounder, hopefully we can work something out within the next month).

I particularly loved the part where you asked pg why he let you in. If nothing else, I understand my startup backwards, forewards, inside out and upside down, and I'm getting closer to conveying all that in the app.

Life keeps getting crazier and crazier, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#4

Post by zbruhnke » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 11:05 PM UTC

Great post as usual Chad, keep plugging along man, you're too talented not to do great things

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#5

Post by fletchowns » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 11:08 PM UTC

johnrob wrote: post #2

It would be great if someone started an incubator devoted to single founders, specifically tailoring the program to address some of the associated shortcomings. Perhaps it could also be a fertile ground to merge any compatible founders into teams. If any angel(s) are looking for a niche in the incubator "market", this would be a pretty good one. Real value can be created if someone can increase the chances of success…

Who is the poster child for the single founder success story?

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#6

Post by jazzychad » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 11:12 PM UTC

fletchowns wrote: post #5

johnrob wrote: post #2

It would be great if someone started an incubator devoted to single founders, specifically tailoring the program to address some of the associated shortcomings. Perhaps it could also be a fertile ground to merge any compatible founders into teams. If any angel(s) are looking for a niche in the incubator "market", this would be a pretty good one. Real value can be created if someone can increase the chances of success…

Who is the poster child for the single founder success story?

In recent history, Mint.com is the poster child, however there is still an open question about whether he sold too early.

Lots of people like to point out Drew Houston of Dropbox as another single-founder success story (and it is!), but he did have a co-founder by the time they presented at Demo Day (if not before YC started, I can't remember which).

However, he did apply as a single-founder. Here is his YC S07 application: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/27532820/app.html

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#7

Post by benatkin » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 11:12 PM UTC

fletchowns wrote: post #5

johnrob wrote: post #2

It would be great if someone started an incubator devoted to single founders, specifically tailoring the program to address some of the associated shortcomings. Perhaps it could also be a fertile ground to merge any compatible founders into teams. If any angel(s) are looking for a niche in the incubator "market", this would be a pretty good one. Real value can be created if someone can increase the chances of success…

Who is the poster child for the single founder success story?

Wolfram Research is one. Stephen Wolfram gave a talk at the first Startup School for Hackers.

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#8

Post by jazzychad » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 11:15 PM UTC

zbruhnke wrote: post #4

Great post as usual Chad, keep plugging along man, you're too talented not to do great things

Thank you! I hope you are right :)

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#9

Post by jmjerlecki » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 11:19 PM UTC

I would be interested to know with the odds already stacked against single founders, what the likelihood of a non-technical single founder getting accepted is. I can't imagine it is high. Has there ever been one in YC?

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#10

Post by Vincentmb » Wed, Aug 31, 2011, 11:25 PM UTC

If you don't have the confidence to go after something solo, maybe you shouldn't be in charge in the first place. Having said that, personal experiences have taught me that a great partner can help innovation through the checks and balances that occur during brainstorming.