Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 128 posts

Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

#61

Post by jayzalowitz »

pg wrote: post #52
jayzalowitz wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So -1 -- 5 with the comment box right? how do you account for nicer/meaner do you smooth based on average review for that person's reviews?

After doing this 16 times we have similar standards, so in practice we don't have to account for easy vs tough graders statistically. We do try to convince other partners to change their votes in borderline cases though. In the last phase we look at all the applications straddling the cutoff for the number of groups we can invite, and try to come closer to a consensus about what side of the cutoff each group should e…

One of your founders relayed to me that they were doing some of the application reading/judging, my concern was there. guess he was pulling my leg.

Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

#62

Post by pg »

martinshen wrote: post #28

What's the "latest stage" startup to go through YC. I've seen a few companies that have been around for quite a while like Vayable go through YC. What's the most money raised before going through YC?

Maybe 18 months in time and a million or two in money. I don't know for sure because we don't keep records of either.

In practice, people tend to feel they're too late before they are. E.g. while a post series A company would probably feel they were too late, the number of post series A cos that would be net ahead from doing YC is probably nonzero.

Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

#63

Post by pg »

jayzalowitz wrote: post #61
pg wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After doing this 16 times we have similar standards, so in practice we don't have to account for easy vs tough graders statistically. We do try to convince other partners to change their votes in borderline cases though. In the last phase we look at all the applications straddling the cutoff for the number of groups we can invite, and try to come closer to a consensus about what side of the cutoff each group should e…

One of your founders relayed to me that they were doing some of the application reading/judging, my concern was there. guess he was pulling my leg.

No, he was probably telling the truth. The alumni do the first pass. But (a) they just vote no or maybe, (b) each application is seen by at least 3 alumni, and isn't filtered out till it has at least 2 more nos than maybes, and (c) we look at their overall stats to make sure no one is giving all nos.

Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

#64

Post by pg »

KaeseEs wrote: post #18

I see that the equity stake that YC gets is variable from 2-10%, presumably based on valuation. I had thought it was a fixed 7% stake; is this new or had I not noticed it before?

It's almost fixed. I think out of 46 startups in the current batch, we asked for less than 7% from maybe 2 of them.

Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

#65

Post by pg »

MWil wrote: post #10

I have an odd question that has stopped me from applying from most incubators to date (although it may also be too early as well)... If my idea is very specific to an industry because that's what I'm interested in pursuing but would require developing applications that would benefit almost all general industries conceivably, is that considered good or bad? For example, my company is only looking to be a player in the…

That's actually a good sign in a startup. Ideally you want to start by solving a small number of people's problems very thoroughly, and then expand the number of people whose problems you solve.

Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

#66

Post by martinshen »

pg wrote: post #62
martinshen wrote: post #28

What's the "latest stage" startup to go through YC. I've seen a few companies that have been around for quite a while like Vayable go through YC. What's the most money raised before going through YC?

Maybe 18 months in time and a million or two in money. I don't know for sure because we don't keep records of either. In practice, people tend to feel they're too late before they are. E.g. while a post series A company would probably feel they were too late, the number of post series A cos that would be net ahead from doing YC is probably nonzero.

It never hurts to try to get an interview anyway. Was just wondering... I guess we'll for sure apply then.

Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

#68

Post by anandkulkarni »

wcchandler wrote: post #42

I'll risk some karma for this, as it's not the most appropriate place, nor is it the best way to introduce my idea. I want to produce something similar to Google Fiber. I cannot give up my life and source of income to fly out to San Francisco and pursue the "cultural" side of incubation and all things startup related. I need a non-technical guy who understands the business side. I work at a community college as a NOC…

It's worth noting that YC requires you to come out to San Francisco for the three-month duration and to work on your startup full-time. It's non-optional (and well worth it), as far as I know.

Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding

#70

Post by anandkulkarni »

adelevie wrote: post #45

I know YC doesn't like to accept applicants who are still in school (and who aren't dropping out). Makes enough sense, considering students at all levels can expect to spend ~40-60 hours/week on their studies. But what about part-time/evening students? The commitment for them might be much lower, say ~10-20 hours/week. Should students in this latter category even consider applying if they have zero intention of dropp…

Yes. Here's why: if your startup succeeds, your views about staying in school may evolve.
Post reply on HN