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Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

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Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#11

Post by dbul »

jwilliams wrote: post #2

See pg's comment: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=528924 " The root of the problem is that people think seed funding is regional. They think they're starting the YC of St. Louis, or wherever. Then after they get started they realize that in fact the seed firms are all drawing on the same national applicant pool, and that the default fate of the nth seed firm is not to be the YC of St. Louis, as they'd expected, b…

There may be truth to this, however, I think the roles of the seed funding companies remains to be seen. The Philly venture for example seems to be different in that it pairs roles to create companies. I don't think this makes sense for our team, but the Philly venture may be right for someone.

It would be hugely beneficial to have a website where people sign up and indicate when and where they've applied (after the fact), maybe even indicate their beta site if it is available. Not only would we be able to see the breadth of applicants but also the history and results.

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#12

Post by transburgh »

jwilliams wrote: post #2

See pg's comment: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=528924 " The root of the problem is that people think seed funding is regional. They think they're starting the YC of St. Louis, or wherever. Then after they get started they realize that in fact the seed firms are all drawing on the same national applicant pool, and that the default fate of the nth seed firm is not to be the YC of St. Louis, as they'd expected, b…

Why is the assumption that these funds get the talent based on the order in which they were launched?

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#13

Post by rjurney »

transburgh wrote: post #12
jwilliams wrote: post #2

See pg's comment: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=528924 " The root of the problem is that people think seed funding is regional. They think they're starting the YC of St. Louis, or wherever. Then after they get started they realize that in fact the seed firms are all drawing on the same national applicant pool, and that the default fate of the nth seed firm is not to be the YC of St. Louis, as they'd expected, b…

Why is the assumption that these funds get the talent based on the order in which they were launched?

Its not that so much as valley elitism - the idea that if you aren't there, then you're not serious and are unlikely to succeed.

But I agree with you. Also, don't investors back companies they understand? Doesn't this mean a variety of seed-stage programs will back different startups? Isn't this a good thing?

Considering the philosophy behind YCombinator, I really don't get all the hating on the clones that happens here every time one comes up.

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#14

Post by pg »

transburgh wrote: post #12
jwilliams wrote: post #2

See pg's comment: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=528924 " The root of the problem is that people think seed funding is regional. They think they're starting the YC of St. Louis, or wherever. Then after they get started they realize that in fact the seed firms are all drawing on the same national applicant pool, and that the default fate of the nth seed firm is not to be the YC of St. Louis, as they'd expected, b…

Why is the assumption that these funds get the talent based on the order in which they were launched?

They only do by default. If one were significantly different, it could do better or worse than that, depending. So far none has though.

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#15

Post by rjurney »

Dear Paul Graham,

Everyone but you sucks.

Allow me to explain. I either live in the valley or want to live in the valley. I idolize you and love this site. You are the smartest guy on planet earth, and anyone that copies you is pathetic because they could never be as cool as you. Who do they think they are!?

Now that I've impressed you with flattery and have defeated your enemies on your behalf, I'd like to tell you about Project Tomacco. With your help, we can caffeinate tomatoes and hook every college kid on a healthy alternative to coffee. Did you know tomatoes have antioxidants that fight cancer? Thats right, we're helping to prevent cancer. We're going to change the world, Paul, one tomato at a time.

Is there a way to attach a spreadsheet to a comment on hacker news? Because my projections are going to blow you away. If we get one percent of the tomato market you're going to be a very rich(er) man, Paul.

Signed,

Valley Hater

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#16

Post by ajju »

rjurney wrote: post #15

Dear Paul Graham, Everyone but you sucks. Allow me to explain. I either live in the valley or want to live in the valley. I idolize you and love this site. You are the smartest guy on planet earth, and anyone that copies you is pathetic because they could never be as cool as you. Who do they think they are!? Now that I've impressed you with flattery and have defeated your enemies on your behalf, I'd like to tell you…

For those who may not be able to pierce @rjurney's smoky satire, this is indeed satire.

I have to agree with the spirit of what he's trying to convey in this comment: news.yc would be a more interesting community if a majority of the people didn't default to PG's opinion on everything in general (this is my anecdotal observation and might be incorrect) and YC clones outside the valley being of nth quality bracket in particular (this is a pet peeve since I live outside the valleY) without giving it some thought for themselves.

In fact PG himself seems to spend quite a bit of time thinking about how the valley can be recreated elsewhere seeing how he has written about it in more than one article and says:

"How hard would it be to jumpstart a silicon valley? It's fascinating to think this prize might be within the reach of so many cities."

Surely trying to recreate YC outside the valley can only help?

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#17

Post by jwilliams »

rjurney wrote: post #13
transburgh wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why is the assumption that these funds get the talent based on the order in which they were launched?

Its not that so much as valley elitism - the idea that if you aren't there, then you're not serious and are unlikely to succeed. But I agree with you. Also, don't investors back companies they understand? Doesn't this mean a variety of seed-stage programs will back different startups? Isn't this a good thing? Considering the philosophy behind YCombinator, I really don't get all the hating on the clones that happens h…

Why you reading this as hate? It's a very similar model to YC - why wouldn't there be references and comparison?

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#18

Post by rjurney »

ajju wrote: post #16
rjurney wrote: post #15

Dear Paul Graham, Everyone but you sucks. Allow me to explain. I either live in the valley or want to live in the valley. I idolize you and love this site. You are the smartest guy on planet earth, and anyone that copies you is pathetic because they could never be as cool as you. Who do they think they are!? Now that I've impressed you with flattery and have defeated your enemies on your behalf, I'd like to tell you…

For those who may not be able to pierce @rjurney's smoky satire, this is indeed satire. I have to agree with the spirit of what he's trying to convey in this comment: news.yc would be a more interesting community if a majority of the people didn't default to PG's opinion on everything in general (this is my anecdotal observation and might be incorrect) and YC clones outside the valley being of nth quality bracket in…

I definitely mean no disrespect to PG, but I tire of these 'clone' programs being dumped on in every thread about them.

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#19

Post by rjurney »

jwilliams wrote: post #17
rjurney wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Its not that so much as valley elitism - the idea that if you aren't there, then you're not serious and are unlikely to succeed. But I agree with you. Also, don't investors back companies they understand? Doesn't this mean a variety of seed-stage programs will back different startups? Isn't this a good thing? Considering the philosophy behind YCombinator, I really don't get all the hating on the clones that happens h…

Why you reading this as hate? It's a very similar model to YC - why wouldn't there be references and comparison?

I don't mean to say that your comment was particularly spiteful, but in every thread on a YC clone, and in the Techcrunch discussion in particular, there is much valley-hating. It gets old.

Re: Atlanta Gets Its Own Y Combinator In Shotput Ventures

#20

Post by ajju »

rjurney wrote: post #18
ajju wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For those who may not be able to pierce @rjurney's smoky satire, this is indeed satire. I have to agree with the spirit of what he's trying to convey in this comment: news.yc would be a more interesting community if a majority of the people didn't default to PG's opinion on everything in general (this is my anecdotal observation and might be incorrect) and YC clones outside the valley being of nth quality bracket in…

I definitely mean no disrespect to PG, but I tire of these 'clone' programs being dumped on in every thread about them.

Here's an anecdote about skepticism towards YC that may be somewhat instructive: In 2005 after I attended Startup School and I learnt about YCombinator, I mentioned it to a well known and successful entrepreneur (who I know knows pg). The first thing he said: "Taking 5% for 5-10 grand is rape". He went on to clarify he didn't think pg is a bad guy but...

Since then, startup after startup has shown how much value the YC program has provided in exchange for that 5% stake to the point where I bet a majority of young first time entrepreneurs today consider applying to YC.

My point is the same as @lanceweatherby 's. Let's wait for the these new funds to get some results before we judge them.

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