@dalton I have a couple of quick questions, if you don't mind. It seems that YC appreciates science-based (aka deep tech) startups. However, some deep tech startups require much more than three months to develop a solid MVP (say, a year or more). In such cases, 1) would YC still be interested in funding such venture and 2) would it still make sense to participate in Demo Day (by the way, is it mandatory?) or it could be safely skipped for some alternative options when the time is right (e.g., warm introductions to relevant VC firms and potential customers)? Also, what is your current stance on solo founders?
How YC will be funding the S20 batch
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Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#22Not affiliated in any way besides as a happy user - Krisp.ai is a godsend with respect to cleaning up crappy microphones and background noise. YC should consider offering that to the upcoming batch that will be held remotely
Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#23@dalton I have a couple of quick questions, if you don't mind. It seems that YC appreciates science-based (aka deep tech) startups. However, some deep tech startups require much more than three months to develop a solid MVP (say, a year or more). In such cases, 1) would YC still be interested in funding such venture and 2) would it still make sense to participate in Demo Day (by the way, is it mandatory?) or it could…
My colleague Jared put together some great advice for hard tech/bio founders and we talk about a number of the companies we have funded here: https://www.startupschool.org/videos/78 He talks specifically about what these companies do during the batch and fundraising milestones, etc
Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#24@dalton I have a couple of quick questions, if you don't mind. It seems that YC appreciates science-based (aka deep tech) startups. However, some deep tech startups require much more than three months to develop a solid MVP (say, a year or more). In such cases, 1) would YC still be interested in funding such venture and 2) would it still make sense to participate in Demo Day (by the way, is it mandatory?) or it could…
My colleague Jared put together some great advice for hard tech/bio founders and we talk about a number of the companies we have funded here: https://www.startupschool.org/videos/78 He talks specifically about what these companies do during the batch and fundraising milestones, etc
Your prompt reply is much appreciated. Will certainly review the video. What about your current stance on solo founders?
Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#25It will be interesting to see what they fund and how much the companies fit the current environment. I'm guessing quite a lot of remote working tools. The one I really want is something that allows 'many to many' conversations. I haven't found a tool for social events that get above 5 people. Normally in real life groups dynamically break into smaller groups and it's hard to replicate that at a networking event or friends birthday or something. That would be powerful to prototype at the Tuesday night dinners as well. Someone's going to get funded with a tool that becomes a default networking tool for the batch and that will then see huge success from getting that group of early adopters using it.
Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#26Get a great web camera or at LEAST some great lighting for your interviews! A poorly lit fuzzy image is a great way to start off at a disadvantage. Study after study shows that people that identify themselves as broadly accepting and non-bias hold deep unconscious bias tied to personal appearance, etc. (1) (2) Logitech has a number of web cameras with strong light sensors and software you can use to generate a profes…
I've also been surprised at how much of an improvement headsets with microphones are over built-in laptop mics.
Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
My colleague Jared put together some great advice for hard tech/bio founders and we talk about a number of the companies we have funded here: https://www.startupschool.org/videos/78 He talks specifically about what these companies do during the batch and fundraising milestones, etc
Your prompt reply is much appreciated. Will certainly review the video. What about your current stance on solo founders?
I don't have much to add to all of the other YC-related information out there - I think having a cofounder is generally a good thing, but not every company we fund does.
Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#28If YC goes fully remote this batch, I will apply. Moving to California for several months is well outside my price range and would waste way too much of the YC investment. I also have a relatively pricey NYC apartment lease that I can't just break, so I would basically be on the hook for two astronomical rents for at least the duration.
And for people who live in a cheap area, this can make the YC money last even longer.
you’re not supposed to make the money last, you’re supposed to raise a seed round in 3 months or die
Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your prompt reply is much appreciated. Will certainly review the video. What about your current stance on solo founders?
I don't have much to add to all of the other YC-related information out there - I think having a cofounder is generally a good thing, but not every company we fund does.
Fair enough. Thank you, again.
Re: How YC will be funding the S20 batch
#30I worked on a video chat startup in 2006 and a concept that still stands out is "floor exchange," which is when one person stops talking and another person starts talking during a conversation. Floor Exchange usually happens seamlessly in most in-person conversations, but it can be a challenge over video chat, even in 2020. In any video chat it's helpful to keep your points short and pause for longer than you normall…
Good advice. IMO, video conference apps should be designed around mute as the default. The only way to unmute should be modal — holding down the spacebar key (or touch UI equivalent). This hold-spacebar "enter floor mode" event and its matching exit event should be transmitted out of band to other participants, so they'd get the "floor exchange" signal more reliably and a fraction of a second faster than when relying…
Zoom has had this as a feature for a while. I use it on long meetings so I don’t accidentally say something dumb out loud when I’m bored.
I think you have to enable it in the options. I’m away from my desk or I would check myself.