More eyes means a more reliable result, so assuming I'm worth funding, then this can only benefit me.
Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
101–110 of 199 posts
Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
#102I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…
Personally I highly doubt their biases will be large enough to discredit, or even affect, the merit you show in your application.
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Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
#103Earlier quoted context omitted.
Okay, so here's what I don't get: If you think the fact that you're a woman will somehow come out as a negative in the YC application process for you, how do you expect to survive as a startup? I guarantee you succeeding as a company is a lot tougher than filling out a form. Either what you're working on has merit or it doesn't. That doesn't change depending on who reads about it. I don't doubt that you have had chal…
I agree that succeeding as a company is tougher than filling out a form. The YC application seems to be more focused on who you are as a person than on your technology. I highlighted that on the application. But I have a feeling that my accomplishments are not going to be as appreciated by a given YC alum than the original people that wrote the YC application. That's all.
As an aside, Guy Kawasaki has spoken on the advantage women have over men in startups, namely not focusing on killing some company, but making something people want. I'd guess that a successful YC alum has a high probability of having read his work.
Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
#104Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think it says on the app that they view your video if they think the application is promising.
I thought it says they're likely to view your demo if the application is promising... and they like viewing videos.
You're right, I must have gotten them mixed up.
But still they say they usually look at the video, and I think this implies that unless the rest of the application is good enough to justify spending another minute or two watching the video, they probably won't.
But then again it might just be used to give you another chance if your application is crap.
Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
#105Earlier quoted context omitted.
I know it's verboten to talk about HN on HN, but it's fun clicking refresh and watching people upvote and downvote my comment. Talking about male prejudice in the tech community really gets under people's skin, including my cofounder bravura who said that maybe I shouldn't have posted and rankled people.
The fact that you're willing to get under people's skin is an asset. Many of the problems we face in the tech community are due to a predominately male culture that lacks the assertiveness to resolve problems in their own favour. We write books that outline our struggles, like The Mythical Man Month, without realizing it isn't tactics that are the source of our problems, but our overall strategy of resigning ourselve…
Hear, hear. I loved your comment. You too seem to be sensitive to the issues, and like me are unsure what is the correct solution, although are willing to discuss it.
The fact that you're willing to get under people's skin is an asset.
I hope that is the case, and that more people reading this thread are sympathetic to my position than are offended.
Their problem is an unwillingness to shake the boat. You don't seem to have that problem.
There was a book written in the 70's called "Women Don't Ask". It starts with a case study about grad school TA assignments, and why men got the best assignments in this particular department. The answer from administrators: "Well, we gave positions to everyone who asked for a specific one. And only men asked. So women got the remainders." (For a period of time, the book was given away to any woman who would ask for it.)
Since I read about that book in a review, I resolved that I would always ask for what I want. This is part of my entrepreneurial style. I get what I want because I try to know everyone, and I am good at asking for what I want directly politely and firmly.
[edit: this tends to work better for me in person than on the inter-web/twitter-scape/whatever you guys call it. ]
Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
#106Earlier quoted context omitted.
I know it's verboten to talk about HN on HN, but it's fun clicking refresh and watching people upvote and downvote my comment. Talking about male prejudice in the tech community really gets under people's skin, including my cofounder bravura who said that maybe I shouldn't have posted and rankled people.
Yes, you're correct: people don't like being accused of being prejudice, especially in a community like this which prides itself on being open minded. Your gender isn't important here. Whether or not you're an entrepreneur with a plan, is. EDIT: This discussion really belongs in another thread.
When did she accuse anyone here of prejudice?
edit:
Downmod me into oblivion if you like, but it's sad to me that she can't state her concerns and life experience without someone making it into an attack on the YC community.
Male privilege is real, discrimination is real. If downmodding and arguing that simple fact makes you feel better, go ahead.
Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
#107I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…
As a female in the tech industry, I actually don't think anyone has been sexist towards me - at least not in any way that has impacted my career or my desire to be in this industry. I feel that I've been judged by my merit, and Silicon Valley is actually at the forefront of trying to bring down this gender barrier.
If anything, the stereotypical hacker guy wants to see more women in the industry. If 99% of the industry was female, wouldn't you be ecstatic to see a guy come in? If tech was a female dominated world, I might subconsciously look for MORE reasons to accept a male founder.
Guys in tech enjoy the prospect of diversity and believe in women more than you give them credit for. Think about the plus side: having more male coders reading over your application might actually give you the upper-hand!
Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
#108This makes me not want to apply; I guess I am just one of those people with bad ideas that YC would not have wanted to fund anyway.
Re: Announcement: YC alumni will help us read applications
#109I feel like this is going to work against me - in a really serious way. First of all, I really liked knowing that I had a one in three chance of a woman, Jessica Livingston, reading my application. I liked how the application felt like a college application; they judge you based upon your potential and what you've done in your circumstances, not like an investor who says: "What experience and traction do you have?".…
I too am worried about being judged by YC Alumni, much like I worry about being judged by geeks in general. Even though I'm a geek myself (coding for 2/3rd my lifetime, Ph.D. in comp sci, etc.), people usually mistake me for an artist, and that works against me initially. (Later on, when they get to know me, it turns around and they're like: "Oh, it's good you're so well-rounded", but only if I can overcome the initi…
As the public head of YC has written a book entitled "Hackers and Painters", I'd not worry to much about that. I doubt anyone with the attitudes you're worrying about would make his selection criteria as additional reviewer.