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How many companies/startups will actually be chosen to enter the batch?
I'd guess in the range of 100-130, based on current application volume. We had a big spike in growth last batch (I think because of the startup class).
Sam, What would you say is the average amount of times a company applies before a. getting an interview at YC and b. actually getting in?
It is often on the first time. The 7th time is the highest count I know of. It's common for it to be on the second or third time. If we reject a company at interviews, we'll say what our objection is. If you reapply and that isn't fixed, you're unlikely to get in. More generally, fast progress is something we really look for when deciding to fund startups.
Not a YC-specific question, but I was wondering what advice you have for someone who lives outside of a major technology center and doesn't have the ability to move? I'm eager to get something started here in the next year but I'm pretty much on my own, thanks!
How many companies/startups will actually be chosen to enter the batch?
We never set this ahead of time--it really depends on how many companies apply that we want to fund, subject to the constraints of how hard the parters can work. I'd guess in the range of 100-130, based on current application volume. We had a big spike in growth last batch (I think because of the startup class).
How has the relationship between mentors/companies changed since the batches have grown? Are there still ample opportunities for office hours, etc?
Unlike most other programs, YC does not have mentors--just partners that spend all their time advising startups (and some part-time partners). This is really important--most people give terrible startup advice, and people that do nothing but select and advise startups all day are probably the best source of good startup advice. We split into 4 groups, and each company gets 2-3 "group partners" as their main points of…