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Applying to YC as a Single Founder

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Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#31

Post by timsally »

pitdesi wrote: post #30

I don't yet know enough about the single founder bit, but there is one unrelated sentence that you write that gives me great pause in the way you chose to write it: "But, if you want to do something big in the tech sector, you absolutely must be in SV for the connections, money, talent, etc." Really? You "absolutely must" be in SV? Seems like Groupon, Foursquare, Groupme, Bitly, Grubhub, Gawker, Gilt, Kickstarter, Am…

Sure, if you want to examine companies over 15 years (as in your list) you can find companies with big VC in many different geographic locations. That doesn't chance the fact that most such companies are in the valley. I find the idea that you should be in the valley if you want big VC relatively straightforward and uncontroversial.

--

Sidebar: Of course, if you're going to go for a different type of startup than YC's particular brand, you can do it from anywhere (central Japan, for instance). The article refers to such startups as a "lifestyle businesses". I find this terminology hilarious considering the most prominent example of a "lifestyle business" in our field has funded a racecar build by advanced beings for one of its founders.

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#32

Post by alapshah »

timsally wrote: post #31
pitdesi wrote: post #30

I don't yet know enough about the single founder bit, but there is one unrelated sentence that you write that gives me great pause in the way you chose to write it: "But, if you want to do something big in the tech sector, you absolutely must be in SV for the connections, money, talent, etc." Really? You "absolutely must" be in SV? Seems like Groupon, Foursquare, Groupme, Bitly, Grubhub, Gawker, Gilt, Kickstarter, Am…

Sure, if you want to examine companies over 15 years (as in your list) you can find companies with big VC in many different geographic locations. That doesn't chance the fact that most such companies are in the valley. I find the idea that you should be in the valley if you want big VC relatively straightforward and uncontroversial. -- Sidebar: Of course, if you're going to go for a different type of startup than YC'…

You said "most," the article said "Absolutely must." Also apart from Amazon, all of the companies on that list were funded in the last couple of years, so your 15 year span is sort of ridiculous.

"you should be in the valley if you want big VC relatively straightforward and uncontroversial."

The guy just gave you scores of examples of companies not in the valley that raised big VC - controversy

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#33

Post by mysteryleo »

pitdesi wrote: post #30

I don't yet know enough about the single founder bit, but there is one unrelated sentence that you write that gives me great pause in the way you chose to write it: "But, if you want to do something big in the tech sector, you absolutely must be in SV for the connections, money, talent, etc." Really? You "absolutely must" be in SV? Seems like Groupon, Foursquare, Groupme, Bitly, Grubhub, Gawker, Gilt, Kickstarter, Am…

not sure about the others, but Groupon opened offices in SV . . .

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#34

Post by pitdesi »

mysteryleo wrote: post #33
pitdesi wrote: post #30

I don't yet know enough about the single founder bit, but there is one unrelated sentence that you write that gives me great pause in the way you chose to write it: "But, if you want to do something big in the tech sector, you absolutely must be in SV for the connections, money, talent, etc." Really? You "absolutely must" be in SV? Seems like Groupon, Foursquare, Groupme, Bitly, Grubhub, Gawker, Gilt, Kickstarter, Am…

not sure about the others, but Groupon opened offices in SV . . .

They now have a pretty small Palo Alto office (<100 people) and over 3,000 in Chicago. I don't actually think it's that relevant as they started and got huge (Google wanted to buy them for $6Bn huge) without the presence in SV

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#35

Post by webwright »

pitdesi wrote: post #30

I don't yet know enough about the single founder bit, but there is one unrelated sentence that you write that gives me great pause in the way you chose to write it: "But, if you want to do something big in the tech sector, you absolutely must be in SV for the connections, money, talent, etc." Really? You "absolutely must" be in SV? Seems like Groupon, Foursquare, Groupme, Bitly, Grubhub, Gawker, Gilt, Kickstarter, Am…

Of course companies can be built elsewhere. People with one leg can finish marathons. That doesn't mean it isn't sub-optimal.

Startups are pretty dicey. I don't know what a founder's chances are, but I'm pretty sure that they are better in the Valley. Depending on your market, your personal network, etc., they might not be THAT much better... But it's pretty hard to argue that, on average, the Valley doesn't help your chances in StartupLand.

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#36

Post by jazzychad »

pitdesi wrote: post #30

I don't yet know enough about the single founder bit, but there is one unrelated sentence that you write that gives me great pause in the way you chose to write it: "But, if you want to do something big in the tech sector, you absolutely must be in SV for the connections, money, talent, etc." Really? You "absolutely must" be in SV? Seems like Groupon, Foursquare, Groupme, Bitly, Grubhub, Gawker, Gilt, Kickstarter, Am…

OP here. Ok, yes that statement was a little bit extreme on my part, but I think it is still 95% true. Startup location is another one of those holy-war topics, but if you want to learn by immersion, SV is the place to do it. There are certainly valid reasons for locating a company outside of SV, but for first-timers like myself trying to build my network of peers, professionals, mentors, friends, VCs, etc, it feels like this is the center of the universe (for better or for worse).

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#37

Post by prabodh »

fletchowns wrote: post #5
johnrob wrote: post #2

It would be great if someone started an incubator devoted to single founders, specifically tailoring the program to address some of the associated shortcomings. Perhaps it could also be a fertile ground to merge any compatible founders into teams. If any angel(s) are looking for a niche in the incubator "market", this would be a pretty good one. Real value can be created if someone can increase the chances of success…

Who is the poster child for the single founder success story?

Dropbox was single founder when accepted into YC

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#38

Post by japherwocky »

pitdesi wrote: post #30

I don't yet know enough about the single founder bit, but there is one unrelated sentence that you write that gives me great pause in the way you chose to write it: "But, if you want to do something big in the tech sector, you absolutely must be in SV for the connections, money, talent, etc." Really? You "absolutely must" be in SV? Seems like Groupon, Foursquare, Groupme, Bitly, Grubhub, Gawker, Gilt, Kickstarter, Am…

To be fair, for every startup you can namedrop who isn't in CA/SF/SV, I think someone can probably name two who are.

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#39

Post by joshuamerrill »

johnrob wrote: post #2

It would be great if someone started an incubator devoted to single founders, specifically tailoring the program to address some of the associated shortcomings. Perhaps it could also be a fertile ground to merge any compatible founders into teams. If any angel(s) are looking for a niche in the incubator "market", this would be a pretty good one. Real value can be created if someone can increase the chances of success…

I think this sounds great. While I'm aware of a couple studies that show single-founder companies being less successful than multiple-founder companies, I think the problem is being exacerbated by a self-fulfilling prophecy created by investors that single-founder companies cannot succeed.

Re: Applying to YC as a Single Founder

#40

Post by demione »

epi0Bauqu wrote: post #22
johnrob wrote: post #2

It would be great if someone started an incubator devoted to single founders, specifically tailoring the program to address some of the associated shortcomings. Perhaps it could also be a fertile ground to merge any compatible founders into teams. If any angel(s) are looking for a niche in the incubator "market", this would be a pretty good one. Real value can be created if someone can increase the chances of success…

I don't have the time or funds for an incubator yet, but I have helped fund two single founders so far, and am open to doing more.

I'm a single founder who's had success, and am toying around with the idea of starting an incubator. Wouldn't mind a partner this time around -- the single founder way is great for utmost control but sometimes you need someone to help you see the forest for the trees.
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