Getting in to YC

http://blog.zactownsend.com/getting-in-to-yc

by zt • 13 years ago

68 18 13 years ago

blog.zactownsend.com

soneca5• 13 years ago

Interesting reading for someone that just applied to YC a few minutes ago.

That confirms to me that saying of PG that goes something like this "95% of the applications have no chance at all to get in and there is 5% that have really good chances", in oposition to thinking that everyone has the same, tiny chance of getting in.

That haunts me. I sure ain't not in the 5% with really good chances - solo founder, not a developer, not working on a hot startup, not sold my own startup. But I like to think I am not in the 95% either - I am smart, I make things happen, I create things, people believe in my success, I really consider myself relentlessly resourceful, even if good code is not among these resources yet. What haunts me is that maybe this later part is only wishful thinking.

johnrob• 13 years ago

Build a version 1. If you can't do that, go convince a prospective customer to give you a check in advance. Either of these will greatly increase your odds. If you can't do either, why would anyone invest?

soneca5• 13 years ago

I built a prototype myself, as I am learning to code. But that wasn't good enough to offer to a customer, so I outsource it. Now I am working with a freelance developer on it, hoping we work well together so one day he can be my co-founder.

Before that I already sold it to two clients, but sounded strange to me "ask the check" in advance. They agreeded to pay for it, but didn't pay yet. But now that is built, I will deliver, and if they aprove, they will pay.

Not the perfect answers to your advices, but I thinks it is good enough.

jsun2• 13 years ago

I'd recommend you spend your time strengthening all the areas which you identified as weaknesses right now. The YC application takes time to do right, and is in and of itself a learning exercise in really understanding what your business is and conveying it concisely. Until you cover all your bases there's much better places to spend your time.

soneca5• 13 years ago

I was able to become literate in code, but I don't think become a "10x engineer" that a proper technical co-founder should be is feasible for me. I can create a simple, but decent, front-end; and I can understand discussions of back-end code. That is sufficient to me I guess.

But working on a "hot startup" in Brazil won't happen and "sell my startup", well, I am trying to build one. I will never cover all my bases, but you are right, maybe YC isn't for me. That's not that bad either, I can do without. But I can't deny that I want it very badly.

thehme• 13 years ago

Very interesting blog post. It definitely leaves a seed in mind about the potential opportunity of a creating a startup and allows one to contemplate the fact that everyone is nervous at first and it's ok.

outericky• 13 years ago

Breaking news. Everyone is nervous for a long while. Not just at first. But it is OK. No regrets. You have to put it out there and try.

Deelux• 13 years ago

Cool story to read. Always fun to see what kind of projects get in.

6thSigma• 13 years ago

Cool story. You should have given it a link bait title though - "I rejected YC twice... and still got in"

gms• 13 years ago

So how are you different from Dwolla? Is it that you provide an API, while they provide an application?

mirsadm• 13 years ago

So I've applied a couple of times and didn't get in. Since then I've actually taken a bunch of time off from startups, work etc. One thing that's been made clear is that the startups I was involved in at the time wouldn't have succeeded even if we did get into YC. My co-founder was not the right person and we were doomed to fail from the start.

I am back into creating a start up with a cofounder that works perfectly with me. We use to work together a long time ago and everything just feels a lot easier/right this time round. We also have enough funding for a year to get this business to be self sustainable.

I'd like to think our chances of getting into YC are very high now but we won't be applying. I guess my point is that for everyone that applies and doesn't get in, don't worry about it and don't change your plans! If you are with the right person and have solid evidence that your business has potential, then whether you are in YC or not won't change things.

There is a steep learning curve to this whole startup thing and it seems to me that everyone is required to make a lot of the same mistakes until something just clicks in your brain. I can't guarantee that my current startup will be a success but the chances are ridiculously higher than ever before.

larrys• 13 years ago

"When you’re waiting to interview at YC they have some alumni there to chat with you. To calm you down."

Off topic and at the risk of offending anyone this reminds me of what Playboy used to be known to do with women who came for photoshoots for the first time. The women were incredibly nervous and legend has it that other alumni playmates would always be around to make them feel comfortable and at home.

eruss• 13 years ago

I hope people don't read this and get a sense that this is acceptable behavior from someone working for a startup. Huge Kudos for stripe for putting up with you.

Getting in to YC

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