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Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

#21

Post by swombat »

mlchild wrote: post #18

Apologies in advance to Sam Altman—I know writing HN comments is not work. But I had fun answering! Back to the code. _____________________________________________________________ Tell us in one or two sentences something about each founder that shows he or she is an "animal," in the sense described in How to Start a Startup. Paul and Robert built the first SaaS company, Viaweb, which allowed users to build their own…

This is definitely not work. However, it's a great example of nerd sniping[1].

[1]: http://xkcd.com/356/

Re: Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

#22

Post by namenotrequired »

d0m wrote: post #12
d0m wrote: post #8

He wouldn't tell you. However, he would connect with the right people and sneak his way in.

To be clear, I didn't mean to sneak in illegally. I meant that smart startups who really want to get in YC don't just write an application. They find people in (other startups in YC, mentors, investors) and network their way in. Obviously, if the startup is dumb or the application is really bad, it won't work. Lots of current startups in YC are founded by first-employee of previous YC startups. Most YC founders I tal…

I know that PG himself has said himself that people they know have an advantage. In fact, that was a major reason to start Hacker News - so they'd be able to recognise people who often leave great comments.

Re: Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

#23

Post by yogo »

Aqueous wrote: post #19

Dear founders of Y Combinator, We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you a spot in this year's Y Combinator class. Do not take it personally. It does not reflect poorly on the quality of your company, "Y Combinator," or its founding idea. We received a huge number of compelling applications this year. Unfortunately, there just weren't enough spots to go around, so we had to make some difficult choices.…

"We could not accept Y Combinator due to the obvious name and branding conflict. We strongly encourage you to apply again next year with a new name."

There's a more personalized version :)

Re: Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

#26

Post by jon_dahl »

d0m wrote: post #12
d0m wrote: post #8

He wouldn't tell you. However, he would connect with the right people and sneak his way in.

To be clear, I didn't mean to sneak in illegally. I meant that smart startups who really want to get in YC don't just write an application. They find people in (other startups in YC, mentors, investors) and network their way in. Obviously, if the startup is dumb or the application is really bad, it won't work. Lots of current startups in YC are founded by first-employee of previous YC startups. Most YC founders I tal…

Be careful, though. For every legitimately good startup that gets to know the YC partners through other channels, there are 1,000 founders who just look desperate.

You only have so much time. Building a great company is the most effective way to get into YC.

Re: Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

#27

Post by hackinthebochs »

dutchbrit wrote: post #24

Filling in an application to a VC wanting to be a VC? Doesn't make any sense.

I don't see why it doesn't. If someone had an awesome idea for finding highly valuable companies in a previously underserved market, you don't think YC would invest in them? If you don't then you're missing the point of for-profit companies in general.

It's like every time we see an argument that some company would never do X, because obviously they are in the business of Y and Y is so far removed from X. Well that's just missing the point altogether. Companies are in the business of making money, and if X is an opportunity they can capitalize on, of course they're going to pursue it! Drawing lines in the sand is only limiting your own vision, others will not be so constrained.

Re: Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

#28

Post by yid »

mlchild wrote: post #18

Apologies in advance to Sam Altman—I know writing HN comments is not work. But I had fun answering! Back to the code. _____________________________________________________________ Tell us in one or two sentences something about each founder that shows he or she is an "animal," in the sense described in How to Start a Startup. Paul and Robert built the first SaaS company, Viaweb, which allowed users to build their own…

> Robert discovered buffer overflow, which helped bring the internet into the mainstream press.

That might be a bit of an understatement :)

Re: Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

#29

Post by namenotrequired »

mlchild wrote: post #18

Apologies in advance to Sam Altman—I know writing HN comments is not work. But I had fun answering! Back to the code. _____________________________________________________________ Tell us in one or two sentences something about each founder that shows he or she is an "animal," in the sense described in How to Start a Startup. Paul and Robert built the first SaaS company, Viaweb, which allowed users to build their own…

Now the big question is...

Are they accepted? :)

Re: Ask PG: How would you fill out a YC application with YC as your idea?

#30

Post by Aqueous »

yogo wrote: post #23
Aqueous wrote: post #19

Dear founders of Y Combinator, We regret to inform you that we are unable to offer you a spot in this year's Y Combinator class. Do not take it personally. It does not reflect poorly on the quality of your company, "Y Combinator," or its founding idea. We received a huge number of compelling applications this year. Unfortunately, there just weren't enough spots to go around, so we had to make some difficult choices.…

"We could not accept Y Combinator due to the obvious name and branding conflict. We strongly encourage you to apply again next year with a new name." There's a more personalized version :)

Yes. I also should have placed my response in reply to mlchild's application.
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