Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding • Hacker News Board

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#61

Post by Tichy » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 12:39 PM UTC

andreyf wrote: post #51

juwo wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if we are not even given any feedback as to why our applications were rejected, then it seems peremptory and a complete waste of time. Surely, they could have copy-pasted even one summary line from their evaluation sheets? It is a simple courtesy.

Agreed, something like "think more about tech question", or "think harder about innovative idea" would have taken 10 seconds, but have been significantly more valuable to an applicant - and yes, it is courteous to do favors for someone when the effort you put into it is so dwarfed by the benefit they receive.

I've heard that the most common situation where managers have a heart attack is when they have to fire somebody. Saying "No" is stressful, and thinking about doing it courteously is not easy. I know it takes me more than 10 seconds to think about a way to say such things nicely.

And I think being too specific could make matters worse. Think about dating. "You are a nice person, but I don't really like your nose" - helpful? I think not, and the next person might be just fine with your nose. I think the generic letter YC sent (I got one, too) is a good solution. And I could imagine that if you would ask them, they might be willing to give you more specific information.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#62

Post by js » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 1:27 PM UTC

What are our chances ? We are catering to a business software category and not a web solution. We are developing a product that will solve business problems and is not for general public. - JS

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#63

Post by pg » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 2:51 PM UTC

js wrote: post #62

What are our chances ? We are catering to a business software category and not a web solution. We are developing a product that will solve business problems and is not for general public. - JS

We've funded those.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#64

Post by pg » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 2:53 PM UTC

brett wrote: post #47

With 50+ teams now funded I wonder how much potential competition with existing YC companies will play a factor in acceptance. Especially given that it's likely many YC companies will not have launched by the app deadline.

I suppose it's bound to happen eventually, but so far there haven't been any collisions. The odds are lower than you might think, because both groups would have to be working on the same thing and good.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#65

Post by npk » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 4:07 PM UTC

How advanced do prototypes have to be? For example, did loopt have a prototype? If not, how did they demonstrate their ability in embedded systems programming? If they did, did they bring in a hacked up cell phone?

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#66

Post by pg » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 4:43 PM UTC

npk wrote: post #65

How advanced do prototypes have to be? For example, did loopt have a prototype? If not, how did they demonstrate their ability in embedded systems programming? If they did, did they bring in a hacked up cell phone?

The more the better, obviously, but you don't have to build anything. We would have funded Loopt after nothing more than talking to Sam about his plans.

I don't remember exactly how far they were along then. I think they may have had a simple app running on phones, but with simulated location info.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#67

Post by npk » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 5:27 PM UTC

I assume, that YC prints out a stack of these applications and grades them on paper. Have the printouts ever looked like crap because of some weird browser thing? If so, is there any chance we could see how the application looks when it's printed?

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#68

Post by pg » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 5:32 PM UTC

npk wrote: post #67

I assume, that YC prints out a stack of these applications and grades them on paper. Have the printouts ever looked like crap because of some weird browser thing? If so, is there any chance we could see how the application looks when it's printed?

We rate them online. The application looks the same to us when we're reading it as it does to you while you're editing it.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#69

Post by juwo » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 7:11 PM UTC

far33d wrote: post #60

juwo wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"I don't owe a rejected candidate anything" Not in the sense of owing him an explanation, but in the decent sense of giving him feedback so he can improve. After all, the candidate took time and trouble - it is a kindness. An application to YC is unlike an interview; with an interview you usually know what your weakness was, or what the interviewer's hangup was. If you consider this to be "entitlement-thinking", then…

A rejected YC application is much more like a trivially rejected resume than a rejected candidate who interviewed. Do you think employers have a responsibility to respond to every single resume that they get in the mail with detailed descriptions of where they can improve? Your complaints sound more like you are sour about being turned down than anything else.

No, it is not. It is actually more like a Department of Defense, Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) proposal.

Even if you are rejected, you can request feedback on your proposal - and actually, no less than in a meeting.

Whenever I have given a demo or presentation to an angel investor or potential partner; even when it is a 'No', I have gotten some kind of feedback.

It gave me a better understanding of the weaknesses in juwo.

This is more than blindly emailing your executive summary to the VCs - you are not entitled to a reply.

When there is investment in time, effort and hopes, one does expect some kind of feedback.

It is not an application for an award, nor is it an application for employment. Even applying for a University, one has an idea of the cutoff marks and GRE scores.

The YC application is an evaluation of your small business team, and idea.

Big Difference.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2008 YC Funding

#70

Post by juwo » Wed, Jul 04, 2007, 7:23 PM UTC

pg wrote: post #55

juwo wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if we are not even given any feedback as to why our applications were rejected, then it seems peremptory and a complete waste of time. Surely, they could have copy-pasted even one summary line from their evaluation sheets? It is a simple courtesy.

It would not seem courteous, believe me. Some fraction of the people who apply to YC are nuts. If you have a web site where you offer money to people who fill out an application form, nuts apply. Are we supposed to tell them they're nuts?

how about this?

"we could not understand your idea. please get feedback as to its feasibility from your local university, or someone with experience in the software industry"