Ask HN: YC rejection

#1

Post by golubevpavel » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 3:37 AM UTC

Just got rejected with http://www.appodeal.com/, mobile ad revenue optimizer.

I applied with the following video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdR_2AODciE&feature=youtu.be

Even though we are very close to break even and have a verified business model and growing fast, it did not work out.

I guess single founder is one of the reasons.

"adtech" I imagine, could be another reason.

May be I just did not do well on the video.

Anyway, would love to hear feedback from the community and will continue to grow the company.

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#2

Post by golubevpavel » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 3:43 AM UTC

Frankly speaking, this is my second rejection to YC. In 2013 we applied as a team of 4 with a secure mobile instant messenger.

We did get an invitation to the interview, however did not pass it. I guess last time we did not convince them, the our team could execute. Official response from Paul, however, stated, that we lacked a well-done marketing plan.

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#3

Post by angersock » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 3:45 AM UTC

The only feedback you need is from your customers--everything else is just bullshit and navel-gazing. Unless pg or sama is going to cut your company a check (and your rejection suggests that they won't), their approval or acceptance shouldn't matter to you one iota. That you didn't get into YC doesn't matter, and doesn't reflect poorly on you or your business.

Get back to work. :)

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#4

Post by golubevpavel » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 3:53 AM UTC

angersock wrote: post #3

The only feedback you need is from your customers--everything else is just bullshit and navel-gazing. Unless pg or sama is going to cut your company a check (and your rejection suggests that they won't), their approval or acceptance shouldn't matter to you one iota. That you didn't get into YC doesn't matter, and doesn't reflect poorly on you or your business. Get back to work. :)

Well, I believe it is worth it to stop talking to customers and coding for a moment and try to analyze, why the heck you did not get approved to YC.

I'm not upset, actually it's a good thing that I don't have to give out 7% of my company for $15k. But nevertheless, worth it to analyze.

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#5

Post by reviyou » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 3:59 AM UTC

Yes single founder is definitely an issue for them, However I am surprised they didn't even invite you to the interview. Are you currently in US? Could be a reason.

Anyway looks like you are doing great, if you ever want to do something together - let me know, I'd love to know more about how many people you guys have and for how long have you been operating etc.

I am getting a sense that you either should have a strong founders team or a lot of traction\revenue with an opportunity to become very big. In your case maybe having a team of people also "too late for YC", and you can become successful on your own.

I also heard that they don't like video made of pieces, who knows what some alumni might not like when he sees your application.

Regards,Alexandr Alex@reviyou.com

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#6

Post by angersock » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 3:59 AM UTC

golubevpavel wrote: post #4

angersock wrote: post #3

The only feedback you need is from your customers--everything else is just bullshit and navel-gazing. Unless pg or sama is going to cut your company a check (and your rejection suggests that they won't), their approval or acceptance shouldn't matter to you one iota. That you didn't get into YC doesn't matter, and doesn't reflect poorly on you or your business. Get back to work. :)

Well, I believe it is worth it to stop talking to customers and coding for a moment and try to analyze, why the heck you did not get approved to YC. I'm not upset, actually it's a good thing that I don't have to give out 7% of my company for $15k. But nevertheless, worth it to analyze.

Why is it worth it to analyze?

Again, they're not your customers.

If your goal is to get into YC, analyze. If your goal is to build a successful business, don't analyze. Anything else is masturbation.

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#7

Post by reviyou » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 4:00 AM UTC

golubevpavel wrote: post #4

angersock wrote: post #3

The only feedback you need is from your customers--everything else is just bullshit and navel-gazing. Unless pg or sama is going to cut your company a check (and your rejection suggests that they won't), their approval or acceptance shouldn't matter to you one iota. That you didn't get into YC doesn't matter, and doesn't reflect poorly on you or your business. Get back to work. :)

Well, I believe it is worth it to stop talking to customers and coding for a moment and try to analyze, why the heck you did not get approved to YC. I'm not upset, actually it's a good thing that I don't have to give out 7% of my company for $15k. But nevertheless, worth it to analyze.

it's no longer 15k for 7%, isn't it? it's 120k

no sane developer would trade his idea he spent several months working on for just 15k, even if it's YC. That's not how investor's market is right now.

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#8

Post by reviyou » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 4:06 AM UTC

Also even if you have a cofounder - it really matters for YC what your guys accomplished, strong technical experience doesn't matter much, i believe they are looking for stanford\mit grads or somebody with a strong\successful business experience so that they can make a safe bet.

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#9

Post by golubevpavel » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 4:07 AM UTC

reviyou wrote: post #7

golubevpavel wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, I believe it is worth it to stop talking to customers and coding for a moment and try to analyze, why the heck you did not get approved to YC. I'm not upset, actually it's a good thing that I don't have to give out 7% of my company for $15k. But nevertheless, worth it to analyze.

it's no longer 15k for 7%, isn't it? it's 120k no sane developer would trade his idea he spent several months working on for just 15k, even if it's YC. That's not how investor's market is right now.

I was not aware of that :)

Re: Ask HN: YC rejection

#10

Post by reviyou » Sat, Apr 11, 2015, 4:12 AM UTC

golubevpavel wrote: post #9

reviyou wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it's no longer 15k for 7%, isn't it? it's 120k no sane developer would trade his idea he spent several months working on for just 15k, even if it's YC. That's not how investor's market is right now.

I was not aware of that :)

sorry, I don't think it makes you feel any better :)

but hey, make a first million, have a successful exit - next time apply with a billion dollars idea - they'll take you seriously!!