I'm apply last year (W11) but was rejected. Now I know why - not because I'm russian, just my idea was a totally shit. Thanks PG, that you reject me. I got many ideas since last year - Startups Franchise, Help Button to any smartphones and many other, I invent new XML-format RSS+ and tons of many ohers great things. Now I got an idea, that 85% of G+ techbloggers say 'this is realy cool' because this is really cool, not because I'm think so. This is a startup, that can grow fast and make good cashflow. September, 15 Steve Blank come to Moscow and I'm pitch him with it. If him also say 'cool' I'm apply. I have a great cofounder - IP lawyer from New Delhi. We can do it, PG.
If you're still on the fence about whether or not you should reply, I suggest reading "What Happens at YC": http://ycombinator.com/atyc.html - that's the essay that convinced us to apply with Lanyrd, and it was everything the essay promised and more.
The best summary I have heard of whether or not to apply is:
"If you think you might need YC, you need it. If you think you might not need YC, you need it. If you are ABSOLUTELY SURE you don't need YC, you probably still do, but maybe not."
We have a product. We have beta customers and it seems we will have revenue of about $30K/year (that is according to survey of existing customers). We believe the revenue should be 100M/year :)
But we are not sure if we know what we don't know.
We are old (in 40s) and geeks (never did any business before but we dreamed about).
Does it make sense for us apply to Y combinator? Meaning what path would be the most efficient for us?
Can anybody that is in or has been through YC answer these questions:
How difficult and costly is it to find a place in SF for 3 months? It seems like a large part of the YC money would get used up for the founders basic living expenses.
Do most YC company founders go in debt / use savings / use most of the YC money, to cover personal expenses while they do this?
Most new founders don't live in San Francisco. YC encourages you, and rightly so, to live in and around Mountain View, where rent is much, much cheaper than the city.
Shameless plug: I want to do this 100%. I have exhausted every single person I know who codes for the passed 4 years. It pretty much comes down to "They don't want to do the work and are completely happy in their current job".
If anyone is interested, I would love to be your co-founder.
I have built several websites. I am experienced in both C# and Java. Ive built several Android Apps. I know DBs like the back of my hand and I have DRIVE.
I have an amazing idea. Ya of course everyone says that, but I really do. Its a total niche idea and it has the ability to make money from both users and sponsors alike through subscriptions and sales from the application. I am currently iterating the idea my self through the night, but would love for someone to jump on board. This niche is supported by well over 1000 groups willing to pay good money. There is no competition to the point I want to bring the idea.
I want to apply, but I am totally a Solo here. Anyone want to co-found an idea? I want someone who is 100% ready to jump in.
For the love of God, take your time to find a co-founder. I entered YC as a single founder, and ended up finding a co-founder half way through, it'll happen when it's the right time.
YC looks for amazing teams, they can tell if you just joined up with someone last week and have no clue about one another.
Wait, I don't get it. If you have such skills and an idea that you truly believe in why haven't you started coding it yet? It doesn't have to be much, perhaps you can't even do all of it yourself, but you should at least TRY. If your skills with C#/Java/DBs aren't an exaggeration, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't at least start.
It's great that you're looking for a co-founder, this is a great start, but just don't jump head first into a relationship without getting to know them first. You should keep doing what you've been doing by meeting up with a lot of potential co-founders, discussing your idea, gauging their enthusiasm, skillset, and how well you think you'll get along.
Hustle a co-founder on community sites (e.g. Forrst). I did (http://forr.st/~1rG) and it worked out wonderfully. If you want a co-founder, you have to go out and find one (especially if you want a good one).
why haven't you built it yet ? The probability of being accepted as a solo founder would be greater, if you have a product and have traction if its an amazing idea.
If we have a project that we think has potential to be turned into a sustainable business, but simply haven't had enough time to be able to even identify a good co-founder candidate... should we just wait and apply next cycle once we've found someone that's a good fit?
I can imagine that bringing on a co-founder type later on in development might be the sort of thing that always turns out badly, but I don't really know. It seems shortsighted to let important things like product development and identifying customers take a backseat in favor of finding a co-founder when you're not even sure precisely what you're building yet.
I also find this question challenging since I applied for a previous YC with a solid co-founder who has since moved on to stable work since we got little interest from competent angel investors, so it seems like a step backward to even consider applying without a co-founder this time.
PG - Quick question, Does it hurt to apply too early? like before some demos etc. are actually finished?
i.e. My idea is fleshed out but some of the project the application is for is not yet, if I submit now are you guys more or less likely to take a look at it when I re-submit with updated URL's etc.?
Sorry if this has been asked/answered before: is there a disadvantage to applying multiple times? In other words, is it better to wait until you are totally sure you have your strongest application, or is it worth taking the risk, and then applying again when you are further along with your project?
Take the risk and apply. They are looking for brilliant people and are willing to mold and improve your idea or give you an entirely new idea if they like your team. While there needs to be a basic concept/product there, they really do count the team much higher than the idea.
I applied for Summer 11 and didn't get in and I'm still serious about what I'm doing so I'm applying again. If nothing else maybe they'll remember me and if I dont get in there's always the next session. It doesn't hurt to keep putting yourself out there. Good luck.
I've applied twice as a solo founder and have had no luck. If you think Sam Altman is tenacious you definitely have not met me yet. I haven't sold Obama O's like Brian Chesky and the gang but I have some stories that would be considered equally compelling by most.
I founded a company and had an exit while still in college full time. I had 13 employees when I was 19, I currently work for a well funded startup with top tier investors and ship code every day. Yet even with all that said I have not managed to get to the interview round.
This time around I have something a little more special in store for my application, so we shall see how this works.
For me (like many others I'm sure) the problem is not selling people on the idea, it is selling qualified people on the idea. I want to bring on someone who can truly add value to the team and I want a partner not just another body.
It's just finding a way to stand out on the application process that a solo founder has a hard time with, I think many solo founders don't realize exactly how hard that is when the YC staff reads through more than 2,000 apps each cycle now.
I wouldn't take YC's decision to heart. They have no crystal ball and cannot know if you will ultimately be successful. You should be willing to persue a good idea regardless of your YC application, which I think is largely a crapshoot anyways.
From my experience of entering YC as a single founder, you need to find a key and simple differentiator that separates you from all of the co-founded companies applying. It should be super clear and concise why you are going to succeed when other's aren't. Statistically, single founder companies fail a hell of a lot more than co-founded companies, you need to give them a reason to take a chance on you.
Also, don't place too much importance on the idea, they know you'll figure it out eventually.
I'm not 100% sure, but it looks like 9 out of 64, which is a larger percentage than normal. I doubt it's due to growth though; it's probably just a fluke.
(The reason it's 64 and not 63 is that two of the startups in this batch merged part way through.)
I spent a few years trying to go that route. It's death. Death. If you can't sell someone else on joining up, how on earth are you going to sell someone in giving you money?
pg - if one of the co-founders who won't be the CEO lives far away on another continent, is it required that he/she show up for the interview? While I don't expect this to be a problem either way, we're just thinking of ways to minimize costs.
Edit: I'm talking specifically about the interview. If accepted, we'd both come down.
Is it worth applying to Y Combinator if your company is already profitable? My partner and I have a company that is generating enough profits that we are able to work full-time on it, get paid a decent salary, and still have some left over to re-invest into the company at the end of every month.
In the meantime, a shameless plug: if there are any devs out there in DC or NYC who want to join this startup as a technical co-founder let me know. The early version of the product has validated the idea, we have a nice userbase, an impressive following, and deep ties to our industry, contact me - dan at danjberger.com - i'd love to chat :)
They don't help you with visa stuff, you need to do it on your own. An H1B holder can work for his or her own company now, but you need lots of money (~400-500K) and need to pay a real salary (60K ish for a software engineer). The H1B is not a startup visa, perse, it's meant for established companies.
From this thread, it almost seems that a founder dating section of HN would be pretty beneficial to a lot of people. Granted, there are already too many find-a-cofounder sites out there, but the caliber of people and ability to see the past posting history of a potential cofounder on HN seems to be potentially valuable.
[+] [-] bourdine|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rokhayakebe|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] simonw|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] earbitscom|14 years ago|reply
"If you think you might need YC, you need it. If you think you might not need YC, you need it. If you are ABSOLUTELY SURE you don't need YC, you probably still do, but maybe not."
[+] [-] throwaway_1971|14 years ago|reply
We have a product. We have beta customers and it seems we will have revenue of about $30K/year (that is according to survey of existing customers). We believe the revenue should be 100M/year :) But we are not sure if we know what we don't know.
We are old (in 40s) and geeks (never did any business before but we dreamed about).
Does it make sense for us apply to Y combinator? Meaning what path would be the most efficient for us?
[+] [-] mikesaraf|14 years ago|reply
How difficult and costly is it to find a place in SF for 3 months? It seems like a large part of the YC money would get used up for the founders basic living expenses.
Do most YC company founders go in debt / use savings / use most of the YC money, to cover personal expenses while they do this?
[+] [-] prayag|14 years ago|reply
For us Yuri and SV money investments covered everything and gave us enough to stash.
[+] [-] olivercameron|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] spoiledtechie|14 years ago|reply
If anyone is interested, I would love to be your co-founder.
I have built several websites. I am experienced in both C# and Java. Ive built several Android Apps. I know DBs like the back of my hand and I have DRIVE.
I have an amazing idea. Ya of course everyone says that, but I really do. Its a total niche idea and it has the ability to make money from both users and sponsors alike through subscriptions and sales from the application. I am currently iterating the idea my self through the night, but would love for someone to jump on board. This niche is supported by well over 1000 groups willing to pay good money. There is no competition to the point I want to bring the idea.
I want to apply, but I am totally a Solo here. Anyone want to co-found an idea? I want someone who is 100% ready to jump in.
Contact me.
spoiledtechie with gmail
[+] [-] olivercameron|14 years ago|reply
YC looks for amazing teams, they can tell if you just joined up with someone last week and have no clue about one another.
[+] [-] whiskyant|14 years ago|reply
It's great that you're looking for a co-founder, this is a great start, but just don't jump head first into a relationship without getting to know them first. You should keep doing what you've been doing by meeting up with a lot of potential co-founders, discussing your idea, gauging their enthusiasm, skillset, and how well you think you'll get along.
[+] [-] rokhayakebe|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rglover|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] TomGullen|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] angryasian|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kevingadd|14 years ago|reply
I can imagine that bringing on a co-founder type later on in development might be the sort of thing that always turns out badly, but I don't really know. It seems shortsighted to let important things like product development and identifying customers take a backseat in favor of finding a co-founder when you're not even sure precisely what you're building yet.
I also find this question challenging since I applied for a previous YC with a solid co-founder who has since moved on to stable work since we got little interest from competent angel investors, so it seems like a step backward to even consider applying without a co-founder this time.
[+] [-] zbruhnke|14 years ago|reply
i.e. My idea is fleshed out but some of the project the application is for is not yet, if I submit now are you guys more or less likely to take a look at it when I re-submit with updated URL's etc.?
[+] [-] pg|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ForrestN|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Harj|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jasonmccay|14 years ago|reply
Go for it and good luck!
[+] [-] marcomonteiro|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] earbitscom|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] zbruhnke|14 years ago|reply
I founded a company and had an exit while still in college full time. I had 13 employees when I was 19, I currently work for a well funded startup with top tier investors and ship code every day. Yet even with all that said I have not managed to get to the interview round.
This time around I have something a little more special in store for my application, so we shall see how this works. For me (like many others I'm sure) the problem is not selling people on the idea, it is selling qualified people on the idea. I want to bring on someone who can truly add value to the team and I want a partner not just another body.
It's just finding a way to stand out on the application process that a solo founder has a hard time with, I think many solo founders don't realize exactly how hard that is when the YC staff reads through more than 2,000 apps each cycle now.
[+] [-] lacker|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dstein|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] olivercameron|14 years ago|reply
Also, don't place too much importance on the idea, they know you'll figure it out eventually.
[+] [-] Tofusensei|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bitsweet|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pg|14 years ago|reply
(The reason it's 64 and not 63 is that two of the startups in this batch merged part way through.)
[+] [-] brandnewlow|14 years ago|reply
I spent a few years trying to go that route. It's death. Death. If you can't sell someone else on joining up, how on earth are you going to sell someone in giving you money?
[+] [-] unknown|14 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] Shenglong|14 years ago|reply
Edit: I'm talking specifically about the interview. If accepted, we'd both come down.
[+] [-] patrickod|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] spoiledtechie|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] simondlr|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kitcar|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] pclark|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] emiranda|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tagnu_|14 years ago|reply
If the 'Company url' field is typed without "http:// it doesn't get saved.
http://example.com (good)
www.example.com (bad)
example.com (bad)
Is it a bug or am I doing it wrong. (Ubuntu /Firefox 6.0)
thank you.
[+] [-] TrevorBurnham|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] danberger|14 years ago|reply
In the meantime, a shameless plug: if there are any devs out there in DC or NYC who want to join this startup as a technical co-founder let me know. The early version of the product has validated the idea, we have a nice userbase, an impressive following, and deep ties to our industry, contact me - dan at danjberger.com - i'd love to chat :)
[+] [-] acak|14 years ago|reply
How is this evaluated on the application?
Also, there was a recent clarification by the USCIS that a H1-B visa holder can work for his/her own company.
Is YC cognizant of this and can it help the visa holder jump through any hoops (legal or otherwise) to be a H1-B start-up founder?
[+] [-] zmitri|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] kiteloop|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] TomGullen|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] TomGullen|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] marcomonteiro|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] robjohnson|14 years ago|reply
[+] [-] helen842000|14 years ago|reply