I honestly feel that there is so so much value in just watching all these YC videos when you're starting to build a company, especially in the early stages. A huge huge thanks to YC for providing these amazing valuable pieces of content that can help startups all over the world
If you are applying and don’t get in don’t fret. I applied 3 times and they did not even give me an interview. Now, I run a successful biotech and just raised a $10M Series A. If YC chose to invest in my company a few years ago they would’ve made at least x10 on investment value (I have 3 clinical stage programs). Doesn’t seem they have ‘knowledgeable’ biopharmaceutical reviewers for the bio apps. Wish anyone good luck but again it’s not the end of the world if you don’t end up getting accepted! Might end up better for it :p
I think it's relatively well known that YC specializes in software. The further away from traditional software, the less likely they will look favorably upon you
@@greenfish6000 Well, like Andreessen said many years ago, 'software is eating the world'. So, it makes rational sense for many software companies to get funded. That being said, YC funds across many verticals. And I believe new verticals are added as the need arises. Here is a snapshot of the top investments by YC www.ycombinator.com/topcompanies/ and you can see that companies across different verticals are getting funded.
This is what I loved about yc when I went thru the program - they simplify the otherwise complex process of starting a tech biz. They simplify every single step of your journey from the application, the program, fundraising - so that you can focus on building something people want.
Amazing presentation. What I learnt in a nutshell: Do your research, be extremely clear about your idea and tell it in a straightforward way. Demonstrate your seriousness and cut the BS.
Thank you! Second time I watch this :) I applied once and got feedback to bring in a tech-co founder for faster development so now I'm doing the co-founder dating dance, as well as up-skilling myself, and intend to make sure that this pain-point gets over-compensated :)
I am so freakin' excited for October 23. Even if we don't get an interview, deciding we were applying was a good impetus for us to ignore our day jobs and drive toward some business goals we had.
This episode of hosting the application process and clarity around it was a great idea, whoever came up with it, good job! Always like it when a company goes a step further to explain their "client" facing processes.
Tell the truth. Be simple. Answer the questions. Thank you for this lecture, it has given me confidence to apply for your next session. In the meantime, I'll just keep working on my project.
Thank you!!! This was awesome! This takes away a lot of the fear around doing it wrong. I mean I was going to apply anyway, but now my application will be wayyyyy better.
Building your innovation and finding your own way to integrate it in the markets, that s your own unique problem without anyone publicly rubbing your ownership
This type of fear that kept me from applying to anything. I wish I saw this sooner, I've gotten a CS degree to learn how to code and work experience just to invest 5 years of my time I had left from school and work into coding an app prototype. Might be worth a shot than bootstrapping any longer.
This is a very helpful video. I just don’t like that they are more likely to back technical founders. I’m not technical but have built great businesses that have been acquired. Huge differences between knowing how to build a business and how to build code.
Why do people ask so many questions? Just apply and figure it out if you’re offered an interview. You can always decline and if you aren’t made an offer nothing is lost.
My reason for not yet applying is: I have far too many great ideas, and far too few of them are properly developed. I need to put in the work on one solid project so that I can approach with the level of professionalism that I know I am capable of. I intend on entirely filling out the application, and doing so with so much confidence and enthusiasm when I do. I know that I'm guilty of Perfectionism leading to procrastination leading to paralysis.
Narrowing down the search space does help in getting more focused. I think you have to control the environment or environments, in order to be able to regulate focus towards one endeavour. - That being said, there are other dynamics to consider as not everyone may be in a position to execute effectively. - Taking care of things in the domain of 'Regular and quality sleep, proper nutritional intake and regular exercise' --> probably contributes to 80% of overall wellness (body/mind connection). - Getting out of the building and talking to potential customers is a pivotal part of taking the necessary steps towards developing some sort of a traction/adoption for what you are building. - There may be other dynamics to consider. Including, but not limited to: a) The redirecting chunks of time ( on a daily basis ) towards a goal that you have identified. In this case, it would be a singular idea/hypothesis (or two, in your case. But do see my comments about narrowing down the focus) that you'd like to validate. b) Psychotherapy and/or talking to a trained mental health practitioner may be the route to take and as it relates to breaking out of a situation whereby you are not getting much done. Hope this helps. Take care of yourself.
I love the "no networking" piece. In college, I applied (and was rejected) from an entrepreneurship program because I quote "didn't network enough and didn't get enough recommendations" ... like what the hell? I found that so utterly ridiculous.
"brain teaser where it's tons of work to pull out the key facts", I've done some many interviews like that. You almost wonder if the person did/does anything.
@@kevinschmidt2210 the past few months of work on my crowdfunding project have been about making workflows and ux easier and more digestible. I feel like I keep sharpening the razor every iteration. Thank you!
I have a 7 month old startup and its a bootstrap business. If i and my co-founder will come to meet you guys in US who will manage all the business of my startup at that period of time.
I have a question. Do i have to move to your headquarters area to take the courses if I get approved? I live in Texas and have a business I built myself plus I am still working.
Please note that when he says you can live wherever you want, he means wherever you want in the USA, unless your company is already successful and in that case you won't need this guys anyway.
Thanks for all the great videos you all post. My founder is in a different country and can travel with tourist visa any advice on the process of how to apply at Y combinator?
I have created a very great platform but I only have basic knowledge of coding. The other part of the code was written by a friend who is a computer scientist and I paid him for the task. I want to pitch my idea at YC as a founder without any other person featured. Is this allowed?
