Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

http://pandodaily.com/2012/10/29/getting-into-y-combinator-as-a-single-non-technical-founder/

by hamiltonchan • 14 years ago

42 21 14 years ago

Hamilton is a great guy and I think the thinking behind his acceptance to YC is pretty clear ... "Let's give him a chance. He's succeeded at everything else he's ever done in life."

pitt19803• 14 years ago

so is have multiple Harvard degrees the answer to how to get into YC as a single non technical founder?

Jd• 14 years ago

Nope, it is to have multiple Harvard degrees, worked at top law firm, run a company, been featured in a magazine article, and already built a product that has paying customers.

fitandfunction5• 14 years ago

It's not merely the degrees and accolades that are impressive, it's also the fact that the decided he wanted to revive his family's printing business.

His results speak for themselves, and almost as importantly, his decisions show an independence streak and willingness to break with the herd and win in his own way. This is something every founder needs to get through the trough of sorrow.

fitandfunction5• 14 years ago

I suggest that getting into YC as a solo business founder should be called "pulling a Hamilton."

I hope to pull a Hamilton.

thmcmahon• 14 years ago

I think that might have other less desirable connotations.

mckilljoy• 14 years ago

'In my opinion, the most important question on the Y Combinator application, is this one: “Please tell us about the time you most successfully hacked some (non-computer) system to your advantage.”'

Not a criticism per se, but pg recently said that is actually one of their LEAST ("not in the top 10") important questions.

gibybo• 14 years ago

I don't think it's quite that simple. Here's some other things Paul Graham has said about that question:

"There's one question that acts like a wildcard, at least for me: [the question] ... We're looking for people who like to beat the system. So if the answer to this question is good enough, it will make me go back and take a second look at an application that otherwise seemed unpromising. In fact, I think there are people we've invited to interviews mainly on the strength of their answer to this question."

From http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html July '09

"Sam Altman of Loopt is one of the most successful alumni, so we asked him what question we could put on the Y Combinator application that would help us discover more people like him. He said to ask about a time when they'd hacked something to their advantage—hacked in the sense of beating the system, not breaking into computers. It has become one of the questions we pay most attention to when judging applications."

From http://www.paulgraham.com/founders.html Oct 10

loceng• 14 years ago

Actually not that hard of a question to answer if you know how to stretch the term 'hack' to mean various things..

lazyjones• 14 years ago

Congratulations. But I'd like to see a follow-up in 1-2 years for all those recent "how we got into YC" boasting posts, detailing how successful the products ended up being. ;-)

nsxwolf• 14 years ago

How to get into YC as a single, non-technical founder, in 4 easy steps:

1. Graduate from Harvard College (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude are pluses)

2. Work at JP Morgan as an investment banker

3. Graduate from Harvard Law School

4. Work at a major law firm

So easy, anyone can do it!

daybowbow• 14 years ago

Really insightful article, thanks Hamilton!

blueprint• 14 years ago

Just remember: outsourcing your tech development is usually not a good idea except if you have the funds and need it to secure more funds to build the real thing.

omnisci• 14 years ago

Great article! While I have some technical background, I'm not a coder and I'm also a single founder applicant. From his comments, it seems that YC wants what everyone who is passionate about their career wants in a teammate. Drive.

I work in a neuroscience lab and I've trained a lot of undergrads, lab techs and grad students. From a state school to IVY league schools I continue to see the same thing. Drive, ambition, and motivation are way more important than technical knowledge. This is a winning combination of traits that always works as the people who have those traits can typically pick up anything you throw at them. My best students have been those with OK GPAs but and a serious competitive nature to them.

pewpewlasergun• 14 years ago

So hackernews doesn't have PM's. If you don't mind letting me pick your brain a bit about startups/research/neuroscience, shoot me an email at cantsayimpleased@gmail.com (or put your email in your profile).

plinkplonk• 14 years ago

If Hamilton is reading this. Do you (or did you) actually work 130 hour weeks as said in the article? I'm trying to imagine this, and my mind boggles. I just read this article out to a friend and he's seriously depressed now :P

What do you think is the major contributory factor to your achievements? extreme IQ? work ethic? some unique insight about the world that you leverage?

Thanks in advance,

Getting into YC as a single, non-technical founder

Related Stories