The YC VC Program

#1

Post by pg » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:09 PM UTC

Re: The YC VC Program

#2

Post by cyphersanctus » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:18 PM UTC

Pg, are there really many ugly ducklings on demo day, despite the rigorous selection and the subsequent teaching/incubation process?

Re: The YC VC Program

#3

Post by jedberg » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:19 PM UTC

This is great! I always thought the $150k was too much of a runway. It allowed the poor startups to limp along for too long.

And besides, the real value from these investments isn't the money, it is the mindshare you get with the VCs. This will help make that mindshare greater.

Re: The YC VC Program

#4

Post by josh2600 » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:20 PM UTC

I think YC has more of a problem dealing with the bad startups than it does dealing with the successful ones. My opinion from Paul's writing is that his goal is to find the AIRbnb's as quickly as possible while relegating things that aren't going to be mammoth. It makes sense when you're playing a volume/numbers game like YC has been doing.

Quite the investor lineup; I think they had their choice of anyone in the world to be honest.

I like reading PG's stuff because these sort of decisions are counterintuitive, but very fun academic/didactic examples.

Re: The YC VC Program

#5

Post by ssebro » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:20 PM UTC

What stops other investment firms from making identical blanket investments, or how do you guys plan to stop that?

Re: The YC VC Program

#6

Post by evansolomon » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:20 PM UTC

Is there any significance to Ron Conway not being in the group anymore?

Re: The YC VC Program

#7

Post by rdl » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:22 PM UTC

It's sad to see SV Angel isn't part of the W13 VC program.

Re: The YC VC Program

#8

Post by rdl » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:28 PM UTC

I've never heard of Maverick Capital -- are they the hedge fund? They seem to be med-tech focused, if that's them.

Re: The YC VC Program

#9

Post by dmmalam » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:28 PM UTC

80k may be a little tight for international founders, as flights and legal fees for visas can be very expensive. Also silly things like paying extra for deposits on rent/bills as you have no US credit history. But otherwise seems reasonable.

Re: The YC VC Program

#10

Post by rdl » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 6:33 PM UTC

dmmalam wrote: post #9

80k may be a little tight for international founders, as flights and legal fees for visas can be very expensive. Also silly things like paying extra for deposits on rent/bills as you have no US credit history. But otherwise seems reasonable.

80k also substantially complicates hardware, I think. I wouldn't do a $50k hardware build without $100k in the bank.