When I see the applications of the types of people that made it through YC, it really makes me feel small. Either way, thanks for making this and good luck with Kash!
I think you're misinterpreting the comment. That's just a nice way of giving a compliment, essentially saying he's humbled by the quality of people applying; not necessarily that he doesn't think much of himself.
This may be especially useful for teams who wonder, "How much traction do we need," as we had some evidence of an unmet need and a MVP implementation when we applied.
Is it a flag if I truly do not have a Facebook or Twitter? (noticed the application asks for your handles). I'm still sociable, and still in my 20s, it's just they are too distracting, I don't like broadcasting my personal life, and I prefer lightweight messaging apps... I just hope if YC sees that they don't think "Uh oh, somethings wrong here..."
I meant the reason I don't use Facebook isn't because I'm older than the average applicant, since it's more understandable to shun Facebook the older you are (it wasn't pushed on you in every direction growing up). A facebook-less 20-something might be more a flag to them.
Facebook is dead anyways. Most of my friends don't have online personas. Facebook's new thing of only showing what your friends liked and commented on is extremely annoying and makes the site pointless. Lots of have realized this.
You definitely need to have talked to potential users and learned from them. If it's something you can build an MVP of in a couple months, we'd expect you to have put that in front of users. Some things take longer to build, and that's OK too.
You don't even need anything built yet - it can just be an idea! Of course, having users or growth makes you a stronger applicant, but you can apply with literally anything or nothing.
Found it interesting that even before people apply they need to mention "Only founders can come to interviews if invited or attend batch events if accepted." I can imagine YC has had a ton of problems with everyone wanting to see their speakers. Or maybe Quora decided to bring their whole company to every YC event.
Just guessing... First they will check if it was worth to try it again once the first batch finishes. I'm sure it will be soon after the normal winter batch if the move on with the new Fellowship program.
I suggest this time around YC picks a handful of apps and sends them feedback. It'll be like the next best thing to getting an interview. i don't see how unfair it is. they're already selecting a handful for interviews.
I am in the interesting situation that I am currently exploring two different ideas with two different groups of people. Both ideas are in completely different spaces and I am not sure yet which one I think is more promising. Due to the very different nature of the ideas it's currently easy for me as the potential, technical co-founder to divide my attention between those. Would there be any issue if I applied independently with both separate teams? Obviously I wouldn't be able to follow through on both if they got both accepted, but that scenario seems extremely unlikely to me.
In reality, you won't be able to focus on both. I know people say you can do it, and Elon Musk is a great example of a successful entrepreneur with two awesome companies, but one startup is hard enough on you and the people around you.
My take on this is that you're delaying a decision on what startup to focus on and relying on YC to make that decision for you. In reality, you should work on the startup that you WANT to work on, the one that solves a problem you care for.
This will also increase your chances to get into YC. Being committed is pretty much a requirement to get into YC (or have a successful company for that matter).
My advice is to choose between one of your projects, commit and do everything you can to make it awesome.
Any benefit to applying early? I know previously it was always said there was, but in Spring I remember sama saying they'd only start looking at them after the deadline.
Maybe you missed it, or it's since been edited, but see item #1: "Groups that submit early have a significant advantage because we have more time to read their applications."
Slightly off topic, but are the documents created by YC for YC companies open source? Specifically, the agreements beyond just the Articles of Incorporation?
This is great for a deadline. If we have a great product and a lot of feedback from our user in the last week, definitely we will send the application.
We have no age preference. We've funded founders who are in their late teens, and founders who are in their late 60s. The average age of the last batch was 29 (and the average age of the previous batch was 30).
That's like spam. Pick your best idea and apply with that, if that does not get in then you need a better one or a better team. It's up to you to pick your best idea, not up to YC, after all it's not as if you're going to be executing on all of your ideas at once and the YC crew has too little time during the evaluation of all the applications as it is.
If they'd allow someone to monopolize the pipeline it would be grossly unfair to those that do apply with just the one idea that they ideally would be executing on regardless of whether or not YC accepts them.
No, although it's better because it one less thing you'll have to worry about later. Once accepted, you can file online for an adjustment of status to B-1 without leaving the US and enjoy that status as soon as you submit -- although it will usually take a few months until your case is processed. You'll usually get 6 months and can reasonably extend for 10 months. Once accepted in YC, one can assume you can reasonably qualify for O-1 or EB-1, but because it takes longer to prepare such application, you best bet is to start with B-1.
We interviewed and were declined, but the journey was well worth the time and effort. The entire YC process is an excellent crucible for startups, and as usual you get out of it what you put in.
The YC application is what I use whenever I get one of those brilliant ideas. It helps me figure out if it has raw potential or if Im just full of crap. I've managed to only get one idea through the process. The one that has been profitable for a while now. :) Thanks YC
You should be asking yourself the questions anyway. You have practically zero chance of being accepted and the process is opaque. Spend your time working on your business instead.
Either you've applied before and you think applying again would be a waste of time, or you think it'd be a waste of time to apply for this particular round of YC.
If it's the former then that's a shame, but it's great that you can admit you've done nothing to fix the issues that caused you to be rejected the first time you applied.
If it's the latter, then you must see the situation changing at some point in the future to mean an application wouldn't be a waste of time. As it's unlikely YC will change their exceptionally successful model, that must mean you're working to change your situation so that an application might be successful. That's very positive. Good luck.
I have actually applied three times. Each time the business was at a different stage, but the basics were the same: Highly-experienced team, huge market, great product. Our last application was extremely strong, and we didn't even get an interview.
The reality is that YC is skewed towards certain types of products and people. For example, they don't like media or news very much. IMHO they should be more clear about the types of businesses they want. But that's all fine, it's their system, their rules. I just don't want to play the game any more.
I count 3 "media or news" companies in the Winter 14 YC batch[1], 1 in S13, 2 in W13, and 3 in S12. Interestingly Quora isn't listed - not sure what year they went and did it.
But I don't see any particular bias against media/news plays.
YC is a for profit company, they're looking for a return on investment with the occasional "non profit" to impress the community and feel good. If they don't feel you have a big enough idea or can generate a big enough return you get rejected. Sometimes you can but other startups got interviewed first. There's only so much space. You shouldn't be that defeated. There's a lot of us that applied over the years and didn't get chosen. Never take it personally. Sometimes there just isn't room.
Thank you for the compliment. Actually, it's because I'm treating it as a business decision that I won't do it this time. It takes ages for us to put the application together, and the video is a nightmare. Instead, I'm spending my time on getting better leads.
http://www.withkash.com/blog/2015/08/27/applying-to-yc-part-...