So excited for this!
yes, very!
Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
71–80 of 128 posts
Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#72PG, can Eastern Europe startups apply?And what are the chances?I know everyone is allowed to apply but I have the impression that E.Europe is a last resort for YC.Also, why is the video mandatory for the first step.Wouldn't be easier to go through ideas and ask for everything else afterwards?Maybe some people are just shy or not so good on camera.There are so many options.Thanks.
Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#73I have a couple of questions:
- How open is Ycom to applications if all you're coming with is an idea, and no proof of concept?
- Is it true that there's an age bias?
Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#74PG, is there any chance you can clarify something for me? All I have left to do is make a video demo. I don't know if this question is "cheating": What would you rather hear about in a demo, the founders and their past ability to succeed, or the idea, and why it is original and viable? Or both? Or neither?
Talk about why you picked this specific idea. And don't read from a script. It's weird how many people ignore us when we tell them not to read from a script. It's like they think we can't tell.
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Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#75I'd like to add as a general side to this that it's very cathartic to go through the motions of this application.
For those who are like me, and have only just begun building their startup, if's enormously useful to sit down and do a few takes of an impromptu video, and answer each question on the application.
It is almost like an outside opinion asking the right questions to critique your idea and your determination. It allows you to think about your ideas and the challenges you'll face in ways you may not have before. Basically, it forces you to bring your idea down to earth from the clouds and think critically - and realistically - about it.
I second any opinion claiming it's worthwhile to fill it out even if you're not funded for this exact reason.
Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#76As a YC alum, I strongly recommend YC to anyone considering it -- even if you don't get in, it's a great way to think about your startup. (Wow, it doesn't even seem like the Winter 2013 were 6 months ago yet. I wonder how much the reduction in class size (previously discussed on HN) will affect YC S13.)
Winter 2013 applications weren't 6 months ago. One of the things we realized after starting YC is that January and June are 5 months apart, not 6. So we have 2 more months between batches in the fall. That's why Startup School is in the fall.
Random question:
Demo day for summer YC is towards the end of August.
I've heard anecdotally that many investors travel during August, and that it is a poor time to fundraise.
But I've also heard that many investors come to Demo Day.
Is the anecdotal information that I heard incorrect?
Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#77I'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…
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Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#78The questions, for anyone too lazy to view the actual application (such as myself) or who doesn't have a HN account: -------------------- - What is your company going to make? - If this application is a response to a YC RFS, which one? - Please tell us in one or two sentences about the most impressive thing other than this startup that each founder has built or achieved. - Please tell us about the time you, keiferski…
Interesting that the questions haven't changed in quite awhile.
To me that implies that it can be used as a baseline metric if all companies are coming into the process with the same (application) effort.
Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#79I'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…
I'd be keen to participate in the "Cultural" side of Y Combinator if you would be keen to participate in the "Work" side of it :D
Re: Applications open for summer 2013 YC funding
#80Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Sounds sensible. We do the same with resumes and it works well to filter the noise.