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Is there any alternative - that you have seen in YC - to getting new friends, getting to know them really well, and starting a company in a few years time?
Hi Sama, You have a CS degree from Stanford and you're now running YC. Do you wish you had a MBA or management degree or some sort? How did you learn about management even at your previous startup? In general how do founders specially who come right out of college without business degree learn to manage team as a leader? Just wondering as I'm a programmer myself and would like to be in management role someday but don…
I'm skeptical about how much one actually learns in business school, and I think it's a bad investment of time and money. I think management is one of those things where you learn much more by actually doing it.
That said, I don't manage much at YC. Part of what being a partner means is that you're at the point in your career where you don't need a manager.
First, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions.
My question is about confidentiality of applications. Today I am working at a YC startup. I (and two other friends) have a project in mind. But what prevents me from applying to YC is the fear that my application would fall in the inbox of our founders. Obviously I would prefer our application to remain confidential until if they we get accepted (which, I understand, is against the odds :)).
How can I ensure that this won't happen? How private and confidential are our conversations with YC partners and team?
I have also heard that YC alumni sometimes help filtering/interviewing the teams/projects that apply. Is this correct?
To be completely transparent, I have heard from 2 persons closed to YC that there is no way our founders won't know that I have applied. So this point really worries me a lot.
Thank you for your answer and again, thank you for taking the time to answer the questions of the HN community.
What is your advice for people who don't have co-founder material friends (mostly non-technical/non-sales people, or conservative) and are out of college? I've experience starting companies with acquaintances, something that, predictably, didn't go so well. Is there any alternative - that you have seen in YC - to getting new friends, getting to know them really well, and starting a company in a few years time?
You'll meet lots of potential cofounders. The people that are attracted to these companies are usually 1) really good and 2) interested in starting a company down the line.
Is there a lower preference for college-dropouts today in YC? The average YC founder age has increased considerably and I think there might be some relation.
If you're starting an Internet company, I'm more convinced than ever that you don't need to finish college.