Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle • Hacker News Board

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#31

Post by dmragone » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 8:55 PM UTC

Nogwater wrote: post #25

kerryusry wrote: post #12

There are lots of people with great ideas and products out there who are not able to just up and quit jobs and move somewhere for months on end. It would be nice to see an option for people like this. Not everyone is single college student, what about established tech professionals with houses and mortgages, or even a family.

I agree with this in concept, but that doesn't mean that YC must fill that niche. Along those lines, it would be nice if there was a good system for getting hired as an employee (not co-founder) of an early stage startup (and not just in SF).

Could not agree more with both the need for funding options for those without the financial resources to be without income for long periods of time (hence need to get funding to support living and development full-time), as well as need for those willing to be early stage employees to meet those looking for them. Bonus points if the latter focuses on solving issues of working remote.

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#32

Post by rjurney » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:00 PM UTC

My team of 8 eminent scientists are going to caffeinate tomatoes. We calculate, that among the YC classes alone, there is a $1 million market for tomatoes and a $5 million market for caffeine. We're going to be crazy profitable.

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#33

Post by littlegiantcap » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:03 PM UTC

Just applied. We all happened to be working together when we saw pg's tweet about it being open for applications, which is why we were able to get it in so quickly. Good luck to everyone applying.

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#34

Post by MatthewB » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:03 PM UTC

abstractbill wrote: post #4

If you want a little honest feedback on your application before you submit it, feel free to contact me. I was the first engineering hire at justin.tv, I'm the cto of ZeroCater now, and I love talking about startup ideas.

Awesome, thank you. We will definitely take you up on that offer.

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#35

Post by pclark » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:17 PM UTC

One of the things I have heard a lot of founders say when asked if they are considering doing YC is that they are already "down the road" with their company - as in, they have already launched, or have customers, or investor attention.

I know dozens of startups that went through YC at this stage, and they will all reiterate how beneficial YC was for them.

If you're running a startup I really cannot think of a singular reason as to why you wouldn't apply. (the biggest testament to this is probably the YC alumni doing YC again with their new company.)

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#36

Post by abbasmehdi » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:20 PM UTC

We're in the current cycle and I'm personally willing to help with applications, but only those who are hyper motivated and are willing to help themselves. Couldn't say enough good things about people behind YC. We feel lucky to be a part of such a wonderful community. Our startup is health focused and I feel that's the area I can help with the most.

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#37

Post by emmett » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:20 PM UTC

benrpeters wrote: post #19

I'm curious why YC likes 2-3 founders over 4-5. Do more people = more potential for internal drama? Or are larger groups more resistant to changing on the fly? I would think that 4-5 talented go-getters would be better than 2-3.

Pretty much. Empirically, most startups with more than 3 founders collapse due to intra-founder strife.

(Obviously there are exceptions. I am a co-founder of one of those exceptions, since Justin.tv has 4 founders. But it's a good rule.)

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#38

Post by dmragone » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:44 PM UTC

I'm curious about the RFS's: Is YC still looking for responses to all 9? Are there any in particular you feel have been met, and any that have disappointed in solutions?

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#39

Post by pg » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:51 PM UTC

amirmc wrote: post #20

"How do we choose who to fund? ... We look for brains, motivation, and a sense of design. ..." I'm aware little things change each time this is posted but it's the first time I've seen design mentioned. Just curious, when was it added (or was it always there and I just missed it?).

It's been there for several years at least.

Re: Applications open for Y Combinator's summer 2012 funding cycle

#40

Post by chargrilled » Thu, Jan 26, 2012, 9:57 PM UTC

pg wrote: post #16

spxdcz wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Related to that, I have a question that's been bugging me: If the application is assessed primarily on the founders, is it really worth failed applicants applying again? Speaking as someone who has applied (and failed, with cause!) twice relatively recently, and as an experienced 14 year 'veteran' of web technology, I can't say that my experience, skills or business-savvy have drastically changed since the applicatio…

Yes, we often fund groups' later applications. Dropbox was Drew Houston's second application. I believe PagerDuty was those guys' fourth.

Were they rejected at the application or interview stage?

Have you had many groups accepted after being rejected at interview stage?