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I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

iamwil.posterous.com

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Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#51

Post by speedmax »

I have been rejected twice previously (1st poorly prepared, 2nd late) as a single founder.

Given PG's selection is based on startup founder's likelihood of success. YC's harsh selection process have really shaped my vision of my product to attack the problem domain from a different angle. I think they will train better founders.

Now, I am applying YC this session (S11),

- Finally i find a cofounder that i have know for 2 years that have perfect match in value and skill sets.

- I spend much more time preparing the application

- Also exponential more time working on the real business assets (design, code, project plan)

I should Thank them for the harshness, it makes you becomes a stronger, better fighter !

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#52

Post by kovar »

speedmax wrote: post #51

I have been rejected twice previously (1st poorly prepared, 2nd late) as a single founder. Given PG's selection is based on startup founder's likelihood of success. YC's harsh selection process have really shaped my vision of my product to attack the problem domain from a different angle. I think they will train better founders. Now, I am applying YC this session (S11), - Finally i find a cofounder that i have know f…

I think my major take home from the process is that I don't need YC to succeed. I still have an application in, and will certainly appreciate the opportunity should we be accepted, but being accepted is far from make or break.

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#53

Post by jasonlynes »

iamwil wrote: post #5
jijoy wrote: post #2

Why do everyone thinks that , if you got into YC , your company gonna be a sure bet ?

Not at all. Plenty of YC companies fail. The founders go on to do another startup, work at facebook/google/etc, work for another startup, or raise a family. And also, there are plenty of non-YC companies that succeed. I've not asserted otherwise. This is advice for you only if you're already convinced of the value of YC. If you aren't yet, there's other blog posts to cover that.

haha, i like that raising a family is a good option for when your startup fails

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#54

Post by malandrew »

xentronium wrote: post #32
abstractbill wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard stories about YCers whose companies failed being hired by other YC companies I've heard successful YC companies referred to as being like piranhas (or something like that). Any time another YC company shows signs of failing, the others tend to wonder about hiring opportunities.

Is it a bad thing? In worst case you'll be working with other people with similar mindset to yours which is not bad at all.

Nope, it's being a good entrepreneur. Because if you don't ambulance chase, you may be end up being the next one chased.

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#55

Post by kovar »

johnyqi wrote: post #31
jijoy wrote: post #2

Why do everyone thinks that , if you got into YC , your company gonna be a sure bet ?

As far I can see, by being accepted from YC you get your chances up from 1% to 50%. Still not 100% guaranty but it's 50x better than before.

I disagree - my chances of success are far higher than 1% without YC, and I think most other applicants feel the same way.

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#56

Post by wh-uws »

Estragon wrote: post #25
anacrolix wrote: post #24

What the FUCK is YC?

http://ycombinator.com/ P.S.: What are you doing on HN, if you don't know this? :-)

Please don't feed the trolls.

Look at this account's comment's

http://news.ycombinator.com/threads?id=anacrolix

All negative and troll like

Re: I got into YC after applying 6 times. Here's my advice for YC applicants

#57

Post by arvinjoar »

atirip wrote: post #34

I don't know, for me it is a weird story of someone desperately seeking acceptance of his fetish named Paul Graham (in the text he mentions PG sixteen(!) times by name) and now his suffering is come to an end. Sincere congratulations, though, Wilhelm, I hope now you can start living the life again.

Do you think a PG altar startup would be accepted to YC? Also, Paul and Jessica dolls.
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