Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding • Hacker News Board

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#51

Post by redorb » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:15 PM UTC

Tofusensei wrote: post #46

zbruhnke wrote: post #37

I've applied twice as a solo founder and have had no luck. If you think Sam Altman is tenacious you definitely have not met me yet. I haven't sold Obama O's like Brian Chesky and the gang but I have some stories that would be considered equally compelling by most. I founded a company and had an exit while still in college full time. I had 13 employees when I was 19, I currently work for a well funded startup with top…

If you're such a rockstar, why bother with YC at all?

I would say the same reason many established companies have. For the connections and learning that only YC can provide.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#52

Post by olivercameron » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:16 PM UTC

spoiledtechie wrote: post #13

Shameless plug: I want to do this 100%. I have exhausted every single person I know who codes for the passed 4 years. It pretty much comes down to "They don't want to do the work and are completely happy in their current job". If anyone is interested, I would love to be your co-founder. I have built several websites. I am experienced in both C# and Java. Ive built several Android Apps. I know DBs like the back of my…

For the love of God, take your time to find a co-founder. I entered YC as a single founder, and ended up finding a co-founder half way through, it'll happen when it's the right time.

YC looks for amazing teams, they can tell if you just joined up with someone last week and have no clue about one another.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#53

Post by lloydarmbrust » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:33 PM UTC

rglover wrote: post #47

Just curious, is there any stigma attached to companies that apply without being 100% on everyone being able to move to the Bay Area? I personally can move, though, my co-founder is still in school (it's just the two of us). Is it better to just wait until everyone can move?

Yes. It's almost a smell test--if you can't get your team to move, are you really committed?

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#54

Post by zbruhnke » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:35 PM UTC

Tofusensei wrote: post #46

zbruhnke wrote: post #37

I've applied twice as a solo founder and have had no luck. If you think Sam Altman is tenacious you definitely have not met me yet. I haven't sold Obama O's like Brian Chesky and the gang but I have some stories that would be considered equally compelling by most. I founded a company and had an exit while still in college full time. I had 13 employees when I was 19, I currently work for a well funded startup with top…

If you're such a rockstar, why bother with YC at all?

I certainly am not claiming to be a Rockstar however I will answer your question in the best way I know how.

I believe in people truly adding value, I know from experience (knowing YC Alums) that YC adds value and can turn a good product into a great product. I am not too proud to know that there are lots of people out there who are Faster, Stronger, Smarter and probably better looking than me however I am also aware that if I am not actively seeking out those people (I believe YC has tons of them) then I am already a step behind those who are.

So while I truly believe with the right product and vision I will succeed no matter what I find no harm in trying to better myself via a program like YC.

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#55

Post by zbruhnke » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:38 PM UTC

olivercameron wrote: post #49

zbruhnke wrote: post #37

I've applied twice as a solo founder and have had no luck. If you think Sam Altman is tenacious you definitely have not met me yet. I haven't sold Obama O's like Brian Chesky and the gang but I have some stories that would be considered equally compelling by most. I founded a company and had an exit while still in college full time. I had 13 employees when I was 19, I currently work for a well funded startup with top…

From my experience of entering YC as a single founder, you need to find a key and simple differentiator that separates you from all of the co-founded companies applying. It should be super clear and concise why you are going to succeed when other's aren't. Statistically, single founder companies fail a hell of a lot more than co-founded companies, you need to give them a reason to take a chance on you. Also, don't pl…

Thanks for the advice, I'll certainly make sure I try to set myself apart in the application process this time around.

and btw I am a big fan of what you are doing with everyme! can't wait to see how the finished product turns out :)

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#56

Post by zbruhnke » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:42 PM UTC

lacker wrote: post #43

zbruhnke wrote: post #37

I've applied twice as a solo founder and have had no luck. If you think Sam Altman is tenacious you definitely have not met me yet. I haven't sold Obama O's like Brian Chesky and the gang but I have some stories that would be considered equally compelling by most. I founded a company and had an exit while still in college full time. I had 13 employees when I was 19, I currently work for a well funded startup with top…

If you are more tenacious than Sam Altman, then you should use your tenacity to tenaciously find a cofounder.

I will without a doubt, I will have two preferably and the equity split would be equal among the founders. That said tenacity does not mean - "Acts quickly with no regard for future consequences" so I am careful and calculating with every move I make and it means everything to me that I find exactly the right person to work on this with. Passion has to be involved to a certain degree to make a startup work and as someone who had a partnership go to the wayside before compatibility and commitment are of the utmost importance for me in my search for a co-founder

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#57

Post by simondlr » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:44 PM UTC

kitcar wrote: post #36

simondlr wrote: post #33

Has anyone from other countries signed up for this? Does anyone know how the visa situation is in order to work for those 3 months in the USA?

It varies drastically by country - see http://travel.state.gov/visa/

Thank you!

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#58

Post by pg » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:45 PM UTC

bitsweet wrote: post #4

How many solo founders were accepted in summer 2011? Has the % accepted increased with the larger class size?

I'm not 100% sure, but it looks like 9 out of 64, which is a larger percentage than normal. I doubt it's due to growth though; it's probably just a fluke.

(The reason it's 64 and not 63 is that two of the startups in this batch merged part way through.)

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#59

Post by danberger » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 9:48 PM UTC

Can't wait to apply to YC.

In the meantime, a shameless plug: if there are any devs out there in DC or NYC who want to join this startup as a technical co-founder let me know. The early version of the product has validated the idea, we have a nice userbase, an impressive following, and deep ties to our industry, contact me - dan at danjberger.com - i'd love to chat :)

Re: Applications Open for Winter 2012 YC Funding

#60

Post by dstein » Mon, Aug 29, 2011, 10:02 PM UTC

zbruhnke wrote: post #37

I've applied twice as a solo founder and have had no luck. If you think Sam Altman is tenacious you definitely have not met me yet. I haven't sold Obama O's like Brian Chesky and the gang but I have some stories that would be considered equally compelling by most. I founded a company and had an exit while still in college full time. I had 13 employees when I was 19, I currently work for a well funded startup with top…

I wouldn't take YC's decision to heart. They have no crystal ball and cannot know if you will ultimately be successful. You should be willing to persue a good idea regardless of your YC application, which I think is largely a crapshoot anyways.