Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#1

Post by hamiltonchan » Mon, Oct 29, 2012, 10:23 PM UTC

Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder
pandodaily.com

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#2

Post by fitandfunction » Mon, Oct 29, 2012, 11:15 PM UTC

Hamilton is a great guy and I think the thinking behind his acceptance to YC is pretty clear ... "Let's give him a chance. He's succeeded at everything else he's ever done in life."

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#3

Post by mckilljoy » Tue, Oct 30, 2012, 12:47 AM UTC

'In my opinion, the most important question on the Y Combinator application, is this one: “Please tell us about the time you most successfully hacked some (non-computer) system to your advantage.”'

Not a criticism per se, but pg recently said that is actually one of their LEAST ("not in the top 10") important questions.

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#4

Post by gibybo » Tue, Oct 30, 2012, 1:00 AM UTC

mckilljoy wrote: post #3

'In my opinion, the most important question on the Y Combinator application, is this one: “Please tell us about the time you most successfully hacked some (non-computer) system to your advantage.”' Not a criticism per se, but pg recently said that is actually one of their LEAST ("not in the top 10") important questions.

I don't think it's quite that simple. Here's some other things Paul Graham has said about that question:

"There's one question that acts like a wildcard, at least for me: [the question] ... We're looking for people who like to beat the system. So if the answer to this question is good enough, it will make me go back and take a second look at an application that otherwise seemed unpromising. In fact, I think there are people we've invited to interviews mainly on the strength of their answer to this question."

From http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html July '09

"Sam Altman of Loopt is one of the most successful alumni, so we asked him what question we could put on the Y Combinator application that would help us discover more people like him. He said to ask about a time when they'd hacked something to their advantage—hacked in the sense of beating the system, not breaking into computers. It has become one of the questions we pay most attention to when judging applications."

From http://www.paulgraham.com/founders.html Oct 10

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#5

Post by pitt1980 » Tue, Oct 30, 2012, 1:06 AM UTC

fitandfunction wrote: post #2

Hamilton is a great guy and I think the thinking behind his acceptance to YC is pretty clear ... "Let's give him a chance. He's succeeded at everything else he's ever done in life."

so is have multiple Harvard degrees the answer to how to get into YC as a single non technical founder?

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#6

Post by Jd » Tue, Oct 30, 2012, 1:10 AM UTC

pitt1980 wrote: post #5

fitandfunction wrote: post #2

Hamilton is a great guy and I think the thinking behind his acceptance to YC is pretty clear ... "Let's give him a chance. He's succeeded at everything else he's ever done in life."

so is have multiple Harvard degrees the answer to how to get into YC as a single non technical founder?

Nope, it is to have multiple Harvard degrees, worked at top law firm, run a company, been featured in a magazine article, and already built a product that has paying customers.

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#7

Post by fitandfunction » Tue, Oct 30, 2012, 1:13 AM UTC

Jd wrote: post #6

pitt1980 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

so is have multiple Harvard degrees the answer to how to get into YC as a single non technical founder?

Nope, it is to have multiple Harvard degrees, worked at top law firm, run a company, been featured in a magazine article, and already built a product that has paying customers.

+ be a banker in HK

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#8

Post by lazyjones » Tue, Oct 30, 2012, 1:13 AM UTC

Congratulations. But I'd like to see a follow-up in 1-2 years for all those recent "how we got into YC" boasting posts, detailing how successful the products ended up being. ;-)

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#9

Post by fitandfunction » Tue, Oct 30, 2012, 1:16 AM UTC

pitt1980 wrote: post #5

fitandfunction wrote: post #2

Hamilton is a great guy and I think the thinking behind his acceptance to YC is pretty clear ... "Let's give him a chance. He's succeeded at everything else he's ever done in life."

so is have multiple Harvard degrees the answer to how to get into YC as a single non technical founder?

It's not merely the degrees and accolades that are impressive, it's also the fact that the decided he wanted to revive his family's printing business.

His results speak for themselves, and almost as importantly, his decisions show an independence streak and willingness to break with the herd and win in his own way. This is something every founder needs to get through the trough of sorrow.

Re: Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

#10

Post by posabsolute » Tue, Oct 30, 2012, 1:42 AM UTC

fitandfunction wrote: post #9

pitt1980 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

so is have multiple Harvard degrees the answer to how to get into YC as a single non technical founder?

It's not merely the degrees and accolades that are impressive, it's also the fact that the decided he wanted to revive his family's printing business. His results speak for themselves, and almost as importantly, his decisions show an independence streak and willingness to break with the herd and win in his own way. This is something every founder needs to get through the trough of sorrow.

I agree with you, for me I found his background very impressive event without the Harvard stuff, it shows he is dedicated, not afraid to take risks, and move where his carrer taken him

I mean, good for him, I'm not surprise he was taken in