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How to get into Y Combinator

samaltman.com

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Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#41

Post by alexhaefner »

larrys wrote: post #23
alexhaefner wrote: post #7

My friend (and co-founder) and I have applied for winter 2012. Even if we don't get in, I don't think it will change much of who we are, or what we're driven by. But I guess my biggest question has been this: In the event that we (any anyone else going through this process) don't get in, how hard should we spend thinking about that? And what I mean is, every time I've done something I spend some amount of time evalua…

One thing you should do is update your HN profile to include links and other info. I'm sure I'm not the only one who reads HN who is looking to fund people regardless of yc application. I did check out alexhaefner.com but not much is there. If you have something to say make it easy to find. Also if your domain is alexhaefner.com get rid of bluehost as the registrant and put it in your name.

I agree with you completely, I've made some changes already. The site that I want to show people is about a week away from being where I would advertise it though. It will be on my profile soon.

Thanks for the advice!

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#42

Post by ChuckMcM »

jpiasetz wrote: post #5

I wish there were concrete examples of deep insights. Would help understand how you come up with deep insights. Plus it would be an interesting read I'm sure.

Looking outside and seeing people get wet as they go from their car to the lobby is observation. Noting that you could put a place to borrow/leave umbrellas in the lobby and near where cars park is an insight. Figuring out that the reason they are coming and parking and going into the lobby can be re-interpreted so that they don't have to leave home/office and even bother getting wet is a 'deep' insight.

The link that pg gives to the drobbox app is full of win. It isn't about shared storage 'per se' its about the things that currently suck and will suck less with less effort when this capability is available.

Insight is looking past the problem and finding the underlying intent, and then re-working the solution based on that intent.

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#43

Post by jackpirate »

abstractbill wrote: post #32
pg wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It depends how hard the problem is. In an introductory writing class, you get maximum utility by letting anyone in. Whereas a graduate math class will usually have pretty stiff prerequisites; the median undergraduate would get zero benefit from such a class. Startups are more like a graduate math class. Most people aren't suited to it. Also, I think your numbers are off. We're not funding people whose chance of succe…

Startups are more like a graduate math class. Most people aren't suited to it. That's a good point. It makes me think I would have to start younger (and with more basics), if I wanted to help a lot more people figure out how to do startups. A little bit about my background might help explain why I'm thinking about these things the way I am: Until I was 16 year old, my maths teachers told me and my parents that I just…

if only someone would help them with the first few steps

FWIW, I completely agree and am also hoping to help people take the right first steps.

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#44

Post by Hitchhiker »

In general, the harder the filter, easier it is for those selected. You can think of yC as prep-school for what is ahead at Sand Hill. The correct question perhaps is " how to clear demo day and land an A round from top-tier VC ?". An effort within striking zone of that will ensure that you don't waste the opportunity at yC.

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#45

Post by saygt »

buss wrote: post #14
alexhaefner wrote: post #7

My friend (and co-founder) and I have applied for winter 2012. Even if we don't get in, I don't think it will change much of who we are, or what we're driven by. But I guess my biggest question has been this: In the event that we (any anyone else going through this process) don't get in, how hard should we spend thinking about that? And what I mean is, every time I've done something I spend some amount of time evalua…

I'm also applying with two friends. Even if we don't get in, we've already been changed due to the application. Filling out the app made the idea more real for all of us, and in the process we discovered that our fourth founder really wasn't passionate about the idea, and isn't ready to leave his day job. Had we not gone through the application process, we probably would have lost a lot of steam in trying to work wit…

The application for me forced me to grasp a clear picture of my vision from the fuzzy direction that my prototype has been heading in.The intro video process really helped me arrive at a concrete and concise pitch that doesn't rely on me demo-ing the app on a screen, which is what I usually do.

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#46

Post by saygt »

GB_001 wrote: post #35

I'm planning on applying for the Summer 2012 round as a single founder, plus a friend who helps me with marketing (whom I had a prior agreement with). After reading the essay on the main page, it left me a little unsure about the chances of getting in whilst applying solo. Although after reading this post, I feel more sure of myself about the issue. Mainly because he didn't mention anything about the number of founde…

I believe DropBox was a single founder applicant

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#47

Post by angelbob »

agileqr wrote: post #39
cwilson wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you don't get in I'd say you should launch anyway. Listen to your customers, hustle, and you'll succeed regardless of YC. I'd also highly suggest moving to the bay area. Meeting the right people and getting your name out there is just SO much easier (we just did this and it's night and day, regardless of Austin being a good startup town as well). We're in the same boat, we just applied for Winter 2011 with what we…

Hey cwilson, can you elaborate on why you think "meeting the right people and getting your name out there is just SO much easier" in the Bay Area? Do you mean getting your name out to customers, investors, potential hires, potential acquirers, or some combination?

I'm not cwilson, but... all of those. The Bay Area has more hype for new startups, more investors, more software engineers, more acquiring companies, and more early adopters who will try your new site (and quite possibly pay for same).

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#48

Post by saygt »

pg wrote: post #8
jpiasetz wrote: post #5

I wish there were concrete examples of deep insights. Would help understand how you come up with deep insights. Plus it would be an interesting read I'm sure.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/27532820/app.html

Just curious if he moved forward as a solo founder of if you guys arranged for him to find a cofounder.

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#49

Post by angelbob »

GB_001 wrote: post #35

I'm planning on applying for the Summer 2012 round as a single founder, plus a friend who helps me with marketing (whom I had a prior agreement with). After reading the essay on the main page, it left me a little unsure about the chances of getting in whilst applying solo. Although after reading this post, I feel more sure of myself about the issue. Mainly because he didn't mention anything about the number of founde…

YC funds a number of single-founder efforts. I know Notifo and Greplin made it to demo day as one-man shows.

Re: How to get into Y Combinator

#50

Post by pg »

saygt wrote: post #48
pg wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/27532820/app.html

Just curious if he moved forward as a solo founder of if you guys arranged for him to find a cofounder.

We encouraged him to find one, but Drew found one himself.
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