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Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

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

#11

Post by pitt1980 »

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.

so how helpful is an article that says the real key is to just generally be awesome at everything?

True or false, the people who get into havard are the people who don't need to go to harvard?

the people who get into YC, are the people who don't need YC?

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

#12

Post by fitandfunction »

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."

I suggest that getting into YC as a solo business founder should be called "pulling a Hamilton."

I hope to pull a Hamilton.

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

#13

Post by fitandfunction »

pitt1980 wrote: post #11
Jd wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

so how helpful is an article that says the real key is to just generally be awesome at everything? True or false, the people who get into havard are the people who don't need to go to harvard? the people who get into YC, are the people who don't need YC?

It helps to set expectations.

Getting into YC as two MIT undergrads who've been coding since kindergarten is very hard.

Getting in a solo business founder is much harder.

So, if you don't have a track record of doing incredible stuff, you should a) calibrate your expectations, and b) start doing incredible stuff (and apply later)

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

#14

Post by thmcmahon »

fitandfunction wrote: post #12
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."

I suggest that getting into YC as a solo business founder should be called "pulling a Hamilton." I hope to pull a Hamilton .

I think that might have other less desirable connotations.

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

#15

Post by nsxwolf »

How to get into YC as a single, non-technical founder, in 4 easy steps:

1. Graduate from Harvard College (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude are pluses)

2. Work at JP Morgan as an investment banker

3. Graduate from Harvard Law School

4. Work at a major law firm

So easy, anyone can do it!

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

#18

Post by omnisci »

Great article! While I have some technical background, I'm not a coder and I'm also a single founder applicant. From his comments, it seems that YC wants what everyone who is passionate about their career wants in a teammate. Drive.

I work in a neuroscience lab and I've trained a lot of undergrads, lab techs and grad students. From a state school to IVY league schools I continue to see the same thing. Drive, ambition, and motivation are way more important than technical knowledge. This is a winning combination of traits that always works as the people who have those traits can typically pick up anything you throw at them. My best students have been those with OK GPAs but and a serious competitive nature to them.

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

#19

Post by loceng »

gibybo wrote: post #4
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…

Actually not that hard of a question to answer if you know how to stretch the term 'hack' to mean various things..

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

#20

Post by pewpewlasergun »

omnisci wrote: post #18

Great article! While I have some technical background, I'm not a coder and I'm also a single founder applicant. From his comments, it seems that YC wants what everyone who is passionate about their career wants in a teammate. Drive. I work in a neuroscience lab and I've trained a lot of undergrads, lab techs and grad students. From a state school to IVY league schools I continue to see the same thing. Drive, ambition…

So hackernews doesn't have PM's. If you don't mind letting me pick your brain a bit about startups/research/neuroscience, shoot me an email at cantsayimpleased@gmail.com (or put your email in your profile).
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