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Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC

themacro.com

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Re: Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC

#4
> Misconception: I need to raise a seed round before I apply to YC.

> S16: False. 14.2% of accepted companies weren’t even incorporated when they applied.

This didn't actually address the misconception - it sidestepped it. I would love to see data on what percent of YC companies raised a seed round prior to being accepted (or had a cofounder who had raised a round for a prior company), and how that's changed over time.

Re: Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC

#5
The biggest surprise for me was this:

"Misconception: YC doesn’t accept companies without revenue. S16: 50% were not making money when they applied."

Which means 50% were already making money when accepted. Given that I'm guessing way less than 50% of applications are making money, this would seen to be a big advantage.

Of course, I could be wrong on that too. :)

Re: Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC

#6
> Misconception: If I applied YC and got rejected, there’s no point in applying again.

> S16: 45% were rejected at least once before. Of those previously rejected, the average number of rejections before being accepted was 2.

What's the most rejections for someone that was accepted and most rejections for someone that was not?

Re: Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC

#8

> Misconception: I need to raise a seed round before I apply to YC. > S16: False. 14.2% of accepted companies weren’t even incorporated when they applied. This didn't actually address the misconception - it sidestepped it. I would love to see data on what percent of YC companies raised a seed round prior to being accepted (or had a cofounder who had raised a round for a prior company), and how that's changed over tim…

Exactly. For someone interested in applying because they want to get in the actual figures on how advanced the companies that are accepted is very important.

Re: Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC

#9

> Misconception: I need to raise a seed round before I apply to YC. > S16: False. 14.2% of accepted companies weren’t even incorporated when they applied. This didn't actually address the misconception - it sidestepped it. I would love to see data on what percent of YC companies raised a seed round prior to being accepted (or had a cofounder who had raised a round for a prior company), and how that's changed over tim…

Sure. I'll update this post/thread once I pull together more seed info.

Re: Common Misconceptions About Applying to YC

#10
Even though YC may be a good fit for me, I won't apply to YC because I can't afford (or don't want to) to uproot my life to go to SF or NYC for the duration. I expect this has a lot over overlap with the average age of applicant (or accepted participants.)
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