Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
lollipuff.com
Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
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Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#2Lollipuff was in the Winter 2013 batch. We also released our YC application materials -- see the HN link.
We recently helped with a VentureBeat article about "writing a winning YC application" [1]... I personally believe the most useful thing (besides "being really good already") is to look at other successful applications. Most of the applications found online are from already-successful companies (eg. DropBox and Reddit), so we figured a more-recent, rising company should share theirs too. This might be useful to folks who aren't doing "pure tech" startups -- as Lollipuff is a women's fashion company.
[1] http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/20/how-to-write-a-winning-y-c...
Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#3I'd fund the cat.
Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#4I wonder how the YC guys feel about the abundance of "how to get accepted to YC" articles. Just as you can prepare for the SAT you can now prepare for the YC tests -- there are a lot of examples of accepted applications, videos, thoughts from founders, etc. just like this very submission. The point is, there is probably less differentiation in the new pool of applicants in terms of their submission applications which makes YC's job more difficult. My theory is that now they're going to place more importantance on filters like past work experience (I've noticed a considerable amount of acceptees having ex-Googlers in their teams) and academic pedigree (I've noticed a high amount of acceptees having big-name school people in their teams).
Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#5I wonder how the YC guys feel about the abundance of "how to get accepted to YC" articles. Just as you can prepare for the SAT you can now prepare for the YC tests -- there are a lot of examples of accepted applications, videos, thoughts from founders, etc. just like this very submission. The point is, there is probably less differentiation in the new pool of applicants in terms of their submission applications which…
I share your concerns -- I don't want YC to get inundated with masquerading applications.
However, while you can prepare for the SAT, those scores alone are insufficient to guarantee you admission into top universities. You need something unique. In the case of YC, this will be either team, traction, or idea. It's pretty hard to fake a history of making (or pedigree), numbers, and wild ideas.
Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#6I wonder how the YC guys feel about the abundance of "how to get accepted to YC" articles. Just as you can prepare for the SAT you can now prepare for the YC tests -- there are a lot of examples of accepted applications, videos, thoughts from founders, etc. just like this very submission. The point is, there is probably less differentiation in the new pool of applicants in terms of their submission applications which…
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Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#7I wonder how the YC guys feel about the abundance of "how to get accepted to YC" articles. Just as you can prepare for the SAT you can now prepare for the YC tests -- there are a lot of examples of accepted applications, videos, thoughts from founders, etc. just like this very submission. The point is, there is probably less differentiation in the new pool of applicants in terms of their submission applications which…
I share your concerns -- I don't want YC to get inundated with masquerading applications. However, while you can prepare for the SAT, those scores alone are insufficient to guarantee you admission into top universities. You need something unique. In the case of YC, this will be either team, traction, or idea. It's pretty hard to fake a history of making (or pedigree), numbers, and wild ideas.
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Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#8Having no qualifications whatsoever about such things, I'd fund them. To me, this application (including video) make Lollipuff's success seem inevitable. Everything is stated just so matter-of-factly, but without bravado. They've found a market with customers, and have a product that appears to serve their needs, and to an outsider, it appears that the business will happen whether or not YC (or Silicon Valley at large) gets on board.
I don't know if the YC reviewer(s) for Lollipuff's application is hanging around, but it'd be interesting to hear if their reaction matches mine.
Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#9I wonder how the YC guys feel about the abundance of "how to get accepted to YC" articles. Just as you can prepare for the SAT you can now prepare for the YC tests -- there are a lot of examples of accepted applications, videos, thoughts from founders, etc. just like this very submission. The point is, there is probably less differentiation in the new pool of applicants in terms of their submission applications which…
I share your concerns -- I don't want YC to get inundated with masquerading applications. However, while you can prepare for the SAT, those scores alone are insufficient to guarantee you admission into top universities. You need something unique. In the case of YC, this will be either team, traction, or idea. It's pretty hard to fake a history of making (or pedigree), numbers, and wild ideas.
(Just to be clear, I wasn't knocking on you guys for writing this article -- I enjoyed reading/watching your writing and submission video, thanks!)
Re: Lollipuff's Y Combinator Experience
#10I wonder how the YC guys feel about the abundance of "how to get accepted to YC" articles. Just as you can prepare for the SAT you can now prepare for the YC tests -- there are a lot of examples of accepted applications, videos, thoughts from founders, etc. just like this very submission. The point is, there is probably less differentiation in the new pool of applicants in terms of their submission applications which…
I doubt any of these articles make or break an application. They're just good publicity, for both YC (for appearing difficult to get in) and the author(s).