Snapchat Pitch Competition
justinkan.com
Snapchat Pitch Competition
1–10 of 52 posts
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#2Apply HN, which was also an experiment from YC, just finished. The results were highly contested due to ambiguous rules and vote brigading.
This experiment is doing the same thing, with a preselection process and communication medium with zero transparency. And the end result is a chance at an interview instead of guaranteed admission!
This seems like an experiment that is quirky for the sake of being quirky. That is never good. (I had to research "Snapfam" since I've never heard of the term: the only influential account that uses the term is Justin).
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#3Apply HN, which was also an experiment from YC, just finished. The results were highly contested due to ambiguous rules and vote brigading. This experiment is doing the same thing , with a preselection process and communication medium with zero transparency . And the end result is a chance at an interview instead of guaranteed admission! This seems like an experiment that is quirky for the sake of being quirky. That…
I wholeheartedly agree. It almost sounds like a pitch for a reality TV show. Honestly, I think it reflects poorly on YC's brand image to run experiments that seem to add nothing to the typical startup vetting process; this one more so than the last.
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#4Apply HN, which was also an experiment from YC, just finished. The results were highly contested due to ambiguous rules and vote brigading. This experiment is doing the same thing , with a preselection process and communication medium with zero transparency . And the end result is a chance at an interview instead of guaranteed admission! This seems like an experiment that is quirky for the sake of being quirky. That…
I agree as well. I'm trying to figure out what this format adds to the startup vetting process. It's almost like a weird social media version of Shark Tank with a behind-closed-doors pre-selection process. I feel like what YCF really needs a competition for is the best idea for finding and vetting YCF participants.
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#5I thought ApplyHN was an interesting experiment. Had some issues, of course, but at least fundamentally sound. Lessons could be learned, and if tried again, the process will likely improve.
When I read through this summary of the concept, I was struggling to think of a word to describe my generally negative impression, and I think I finally found it: Juvenile. This souds so very, very juvenile. Good luck to whomever wants to go this route. Pass.
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#6Apply HN, which was also an experiment from YC, just finished. The results were highly contested due to ambiguous rules and vote brigading. This experiment is doing the same thing , with a preselection process and communication medium with zero transparency . And the end result is a chance at an interview instead of guaranteed admission! This seems like an experiment that is quirky for the sake of being quirky. That…
On the other hand, it could be really fun! Stories are limitless vehicles for creativity and self expression. Some were complaining before about the character limit. Video is much more intimate.
My only issue is that I don't think I'll have the time to view 100+ snaps ;(
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#7Apply HN, which was also an experiment from YC, just finished. The results were highly contested due to ambiguous rules and vote brigading. This experiment is doing the same thing , with a preselection process and communication medium with zero transparency . And the end result is a chance at an interview instead of guaranteed admission! This seems like an experiment that is quirky for the sake of being quirky. That…
One of the ApplyHN entries, AJsAmericanGarage, actually made a coherent 8 minute video presentation, and at the time, I don't think any other entry had anything remotely similar. This seems like a less rigorous offshoot of the concept that AJsAmericanGarage attempted to use. In the ApplyHN context it seemed an innovative approach to both showing creativity and personality (doing something nobody else was doing), whereas this sounds like a platform for...I dunno...much more of a popularity contest thing.
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#8Apply HN, which was also an experiment from YC, just finished. The results were highly contested due to ambiguous rules and vote brigading. This experiment is doing the same thing , with a preselection process and communication medium with zero transparency . And the end result is a chance at an interview instead of guaranteed admission! This seems like an experiment that is quirky for the sake of being quirky. That…
Don't "try to cheat" either -- or you'll be publicly shamed by an internet famous person!
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#9I understand the negative sentiment around these experiments from YC at some level.
But YC lives & dies by the quality of their "funnel", so to speak.
If they miss the next Airbnb because they overlook them or don't have a broad enough funnel in the first place that will cripple YC's ability to grow.
These experiments are part of YC's inevitable scaling challenges that are analog to any successful startup -> your platform is tested & proven, your current growth engine is reliable but you want to keep going faster.
So what do you do?
Find new marketing channels, experiment with new products (line extension), test new "funnels" to drive through a higher ratio of succesful outcomes.
Good on yah YC for eating the dogfood you're selling :)
Re: Snapchat Pitch Competition
#10No idea how this will go. But I used to watch his Snap stories. They're a pretty good balance of insight and various personal things he does. Overall, I kind of just enjoyed how positive and motivated he seemed to be. Seems like a genuinely good dude.
If you didn't read the post, you can follow him [here](1). I definitely recommend checking it out at least. Nice to see the optimism when you're doing your batshit crazy start-up thing and need a bit of healthy validation.