YC v.s. Techstars – Comparison by a 3-time alum

https://www.codementor.io/startups/tutorial/y-combinator-vs-techstars-alum-comparison

by martin_tipgain • 11 years ago

21 10 11 years ago

codementor.io

jedc• 11 years ago

This strikes me as one of the most fair/balanced comparisons of YC and Techstars that I've ever read. Thanks!

weitingliu5• 11 years ago

thanks!

weitingliu5• 11 years ago

Weiting from Codementor here - I'm the author of the post. Feel free to ask any questions and I'll try to answer them here too!

billconan3• 11 years ago

good read! Kinda want to know a bit more about 500 startups also.

are you from China? I'm. last week I went to a Stanford event with few YC founders who have Chinese background. I had the impression that only few with Chinese background succeeded to get into YC.

weitingliu5• 11 years ago

I'm from Taiwan. 500 Startups has a pretty strong presence here, so even though I didn't technically go through their accelerator myself, I'm somewhat familiar with their program as well.

billconan3• 11 years ago

Do we need to incorporate the company before their interview? Or they prefer we are at a very early stage? How much do they value a prototype at the interview. I have heard different stories. Some said prototypes are very important, you need to even have some initial traction. But I have also heard people saying that the interview was very short. They asked about the idea and team, but didn't even have time to look at the demo.

weitingliu5• 11 years ago

You don't need to incorporate before YC. If you do get in, they will take care of everything for you.

Both accelerators are very competitive now - you'd be competing against other companies with established founders and companies (not just products) with real revenues.

Gounemond• 11 years ago

Hello there! First of all, I really appreciated your article. I'm not really into this world (yet), but I think you have been able to underline differences between the two accelerators, and letting the reader "choose" which one would fit better, based on their own situation. Again, well done.

Question time: how "ready" should I be to consider to apply to an accelerator? To be more clear: is it possible to apply with a general idea and the founders? Or is advisable to apply with a well-made business plan? There is difference in this matter when applying to one or another? Consider this being asked from an "outsider" of the startup world willing to get aboard.

Many thanks in advance!

weitingliu5• 11 years ago

this should be helpful: http://www.ycombinator.com/howtoapply/

Nowadays, honestly I think unless your founding team consists of superstars, getting in with just a general idea would be almost impossible.

YC v.s. Techstars – Comparison by a 3-time alum

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