Guide List for Startups Applying to Y Combinator

Guide List for Startups Applying to Y Combinator
kevinwilliamdavid.com

It's a very comprehensive list, and I don't want to imply it's bad to organize such a list. I was just surprised at how much stuff has been written about "how to impress YC." The goal is to make something people want, not to impress YC.

Thank you for the list though. It's an awesome collection. I just realized how negative I probably sounded, so I wanted to clarify that your time is very much appreciated in organizing this. I was just wondering how much time YC actually spends defending against people who are primarily trying to game YC rather than trying to make a valuable startup. Maybe it's not even an issue.

I wrote a blog post about 'Startup Istanbul 2014'. I have a section with quick advises from Michael Siebel to overseas entrepreneurs. It's pretty small list but I think it's a good quick-list of some general guidelines. The post is here[1] in case you wanna take a look.

[1] http://www.convalesco.org/blog/2014/10/05/startup-istanbul-r...

YC exists largely to con VCs into being attracted to their golden child chosen companies[2], right? YC batches spend most of their time a.) making their product and b.) refining their pitches to trigger VC fad likability signals of "yah this be hyper megagrowth companay!" [Reminder: early funding is based mostly around personality and psychology first ("gut feelings")[1] largely triggered by the people factor, and then only company details second since early companies change so much in the long run. You can train people to give better first impression gut feelings to increase their funding chances easier than giving them billion dollar execution capability.]

The focus around "we can teach you to manipulate the VCs by telling them what they want" also has an amusing effect: VCs are pandered to so tightly now with such high quality pitches, they get annoyed if you haven't been perfecting a 90 second pitch for 3 months straight. [Bitterness disclosure: I've been rejected by the people who funded Clinkle. Stab me in the eye with a rusty spoon already.]

So, it only makes sense the base of manipulation also has a phase of pre-alignment too.

But—all is not lost! When any process becomes too manipulation-focused, you can out maneuver the manipulators by being good+sincere instead of weak+manipulative.

[2]: with the side effect of creating an extensive "network of friends"/mafia/collusion-sphere/[union?] so they can collectively kick the asses of People With Money And Power who treat any of them poorly. (but, this also creates a great "Let our powers combine!" capability of getting new things done quickly or helping others in need who are part of the family.)

[1]: Are you under 24 with a Stanford background and were born a white male human person? Step right up for your free money!