What about the single founder? I know the answer, but I guess I shouldn't apply til I find a co-founder?
It's obviously very rare. However it has been done before [1].
1. http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2013/03/12/how-solo-foun...
Applying to YC
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Re: Applying to YC
#22What about the single founder? I know the answer, but I guess I shouldn't apply til I find a co-founder?
the latest batch had several solo founders
Re: Applying to YC
#23Good post but I wish there was more transparency in what YC was looking for (though I understand this is difficult, otherwise people would game it). There are companies that are accepted with just an idea and companies with six figure revenues that are rejected. There are founders with bad ideas that are "funded for the pivot," and founders like Drew Houston who are rejected because their initial idea was bad. It jus…
I think a lot of it has to do with who you are and then what you have coming in (in terms of a product).
So for example. If you're a Stanford grad, have already started and exited a company and now are a part-time VC, you can probably get into YC with just an idea. (similar to Standard Treasury).
Alternatively if you've not made a name for yourself yet it's likely YC would look for something already built, with users, and possibly revenue.
This is obviously pure speculation.
Re: Applying to YC
#24Re: Applying to YC
#25Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't YC for the Ivy League class type? The "I dropped out cause I am smart" type? The "I wrote a book on _____" type? "I worked at Google or Facebook" type? What about the regular type that doesn't have much to show, but wants to do great things?
Basically, I feel like the YC application is a pissing match of who can piss the farthest shown on paper not outside. haha :)
I have realized I don't fit the YC type.. so I won't apply.
Re: Applying to YC
#26Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't YC for the Ivy League class type? The "I dropped out cause I am smart" type? The "I wrote a book on _____" type? "I worked at Google or Facebook" type? What about the regular type that doesn't have much to show, but wants to do great things? Basically, I feel like the YC application is a pissing match of who can piss the farthest shown on paper not outside. haha :) I have realized…
What gives you this impression? From what I can tell (from the outside) YC is a pretty diverse crowd and I believe PG once said that academic background doesn't much matter. Grit (aka resilience, determination, relentlessness, etc) is more important.
In fact, there's nothing in the application form that even asks about education (there used to be but maybe it moved to the additional founder info - i.e it doesn't seem important at all).
Re: Applying to YC
#27Sam's comments are encouraging but in the notes [1] about the application process they also mention how they look at a user's comments. I signed up on HN after being a passive reader for a long time and so haven't accumulated a lot of karma. I suppose lack of comments shouldn't be a deterrent as Sam suggested but may be the messaging needs to change a bit? Just my humble opinion. [1] https://www.ycombinator.com/howto…
I have 12560 karma on HN and a very loose sense of ethics or morality, so feel free to make an offer on my account. Disclaimer: You may also need to change your name to George McBay for plausibility.
I'd offer my account, but I've already been rejected once.
Re: Applying to YC
#28Good post but I wish there was more transparency in what YC was looking for (though I understand this is difficult, otherwise people would game it). There are companies that are accepted with just an idea and companies with six figure revenues that are rejected. There are founders with bad ideas that are "funded for the pivot," and founders like Drew Houston who are rejected because their initial idea was bad. It jus…
I think a lot of it has to do with who you are and then what you have coming in (in terms of a product). So for example. If you're a Stanford grad, have already started and exited a company and now are a part-time VC, you can probably get into YC with just an idea. (similar to Standard Treasury). Alternatively if you've not made a name for yourself yet it's likely YC would look for something already built, with users…
if you are a part-time VC, we are very unlikely to fund you unless you agree to quit in the interview. it's hard to start a startup no matter what, but much more so with a part-time job on the side.
Re: Applying to YC
#29Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't YC for the Ivy League class type? The "I dropped out cause I am smart" type? The "I wrote a book on _____" type? "I worked at Google or Facebook" type? What about the regular type that doesn't have much to show, but wants to do great things? Basically, I feel like the YC application is a pissing match of who can piss the farthest shown on paper not outside. haha :) I have realized…
You are wrong :)
YC founders come from everywhere.
Re: Applying to YC
#30Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't YC for the Ivy League class type? The "I dropped out cause I am smart" type? The "I wrote a book on _____" type? "I worked at Google or Facebook" type? What about the regular type that doesn't have much to show, but wants to do great things? Basically, I feel like the YC application is a pissing match of who can piss the farthest shown on paper not outside. haha :) I have realized…
no, definitely not. we look for something impressive you've done or built, but that's much more important than where you went to school.