Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA • Hacker News Board

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#111

Post by mwseibel » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:28 PM UTC

akashsingh wrote: post #59

For global SaaS companies applying from out of US, is sitting outside of the core market, Bay Area etc, a red flag?

Absolutely not!

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#112

Post by healthenclave » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:29 PM UTC

maram wrote: post #103

Is applying to YC for the third time a bad indicator/sign?

Not official YC advice. But I believe I read somewhere Avg. YC company gets rejected twice before being accepted. What matters is are you making progress in the direction of your vision.

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#113

Post by elmar » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:29 PM UTC

Hi Michael, Is YC actively looking for partners with hardware startup experience? Correct me if I am wrong currently YC doesn't have any.

The only one I recall is Luke Iseman (great guy) that left this year (currently a YC alumni).

thanks for taking the time to reply.

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#114

Post by Ashu_14 » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:29 PM UTC

It's midnight here in india and i just noticed this session. I really want to know if there's any quick tip regarding international founders such as from india. I've been in touch with other Indian YC alums and have been getting feedback and suggestions for my YC application. I really am in doubt about how should i go with the application, i mean what exactly YC partners look for in the application the very first time, considering and international founder?

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#115

Post by mwseibel » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:30 PM UTC

maram wrote: post #60

How important it is generating revenue before applying to YC ?

It is not particularly important in and of itself. I would say though that if you have a product that people should buy (instead of using for free) the earlier you start charging the faster you will learn.

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#116

Post by dre7413 » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:31 PM UTC

Based on the S17 batch, what %age were People of color, women and LGBT?

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#117

Post by mwseibel » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:31 PM UTC

elmar wrote: post #113

Hi Michael, Is YC actively looking for partners with hardware startup experience? Correct me if I am wrong currently YC doesn't have any. The only one I recall is Luke Iseman (great guy) that left this year (currently a YC alumni). thanks for taking the time to reply.

Luke is actually in the current YC batch. There will be a YC alum working with hardware companies in the next batch - announcement coming in the next month or so.

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#118

Post by healthenclave » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:32 PM UTC

Ashu_14 wrote: post #114

It's midnight here in india and i just noticed this session. I really want to know if there's any quick tip regarding international founders such as from india. I've been in touch with other Indian YC alums and have been getting feedback and suggestions for my YC application. I really am in doubt about how should i go with the application, i mean what exactly YC partners look for in the application the very first tim…

Ashu fellow Indian Founder here. I think it's mostly about dedication, domain expertise(if applicable), progress and traction. They list it out here http://www.ycombinator.com/howtoapply/

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#119

Post by gist » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:32 PM UTC

jey wrote: post #75

gist wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> after running YC for 10+ years they deserve a little break no? With all due respect what is so special about running YC that means you deserve a sabbatical? They are taking a sabbatical not because they deserve it but because they can afford to do so financially and have left their organization in what they feel are very capable hands. It is actually atypical in most professions in the US (at least outside of teach…

Surely he just means a break from YC. And running YC was a job that required always being "on-call" in the early days.

"on call"? Plenty of businesses require the entrepreneur to be 'on call'.

Re: Michael Seibel, CEO of YC, is doing an AMA

#120

Post by mwseibel » Fri, Mar 17, 2017, 5:32 PM UTC

ikeboy wrote: post #102

I haven't worked on the idea/MVP I applied with last time, instead working on scaling my existing business. Last time I didn't get an interview. Is there a point in applying again with the same idea? The only thing that would have changed is that my other business, listed as an accomplishment, is now 5 times as successful. (In the 350k range vs 70k.) I was also thinking of applying with that business, but it's not re…

Yes! Many companies get in on their second or third YC application. There is no penalty for applying more than once and in some cases it actually gives you an advantage.