id
int64
0
12.9M
type
large_stringclasses
5 values
by
large_stringlengths
2
15
time
timestamp[us]
title
large_stringlengths
0
198
text
large_stringlengths
0
99.1k
url
large_stringlengths
0
6.6k
score
int64
-1
5.77k
parent
int64
1
30.4M
top_level_parent
int64
0
30.4M
descendants
int64
-1
2.53k
kids
large list
deleted
bool
1 class
dead
bool
1 class
11,500
comment
knewjax
2007-04-10T21:10:36
null
Rejected. <p>I am curious. Did all the accepted applications provide a demo or prototype link in their application?
null
null
11,497
11,285
null
[ 11518, 11618, 11520, 11507, 11516, 11514 ]
null
null
11,501
comment
randallsquared
2007-04-10T21:10:53
null
It's too late for that: "with 14-day advance purchase"
null
null
11,485
11,285
null
[ 11743 ]
null
null
11,502
story
colmworth
2007-04-10T21:11:47
rejected!
null
7
null
11,502
17
[ 11503, 11532, 11597, 12190, 11537, 11576 ]
null
null
11,503
comment
colmworth
2007-04-10T21:11:58
null
We're sorry to say we couldn't accept your proposal for funding. Please don't take it personally, because most of the proposals we rejected, we rejected for reasons having nothing to do with the quality of the applicants. For example, we were very reluctant to accept proposals with only one founder, because we think starting a startup is too much work for one person. We also had a higher threshold for applicants who were still in school, groups where one or more members planned to keep their current jobs, and groups that couldn't all move to Boston. We rejected a lot of proposals simply because we couldn't understand them, or didn't understand the problem domain well enough to judge them, or because the project seemed too big to start on only three months of funding. Sometimes we even rejected good ideas, because another group proposed the same idea and seemed further along.<p>We realize this process is fraught with error. It's practically certain that groups we rejected will go on to create successful startups. If you do, we'd appreciate it if you'd send us an email telling us about it; we want to learn from our mistakes.<p>Thanks,<p>Y Combinator Staff
null
null
11,502
11,502
null
[ 11505, 11735 ]
null
null
11,504
comment
randallsquared
2007-04-10T21:12:26
null
Just now, yes. Ah, well...
null
null
11,490
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,505
comment
colmworth
2007-04-10T21:12:35
null
as of today I'm out to prove them wrong. wish me luck and good luck to those who have been accepted
null
null
11,503
11,502
null
[ 11722, 11512 ]
null
null
11,506
comment
danw
2007-04-10T21:13:53
null
Rejection here too.
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
[ 11509, 11511 ]
null
null
11,507
comment
jey
2007-04-10T21:14:03
null
No.
null
null
11,500
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,508
comment
bhb
2007-04-10T21:14:20
null
Same here. Bummer.<p>Congrats to the winners! And to those who weren't accepted (like me) - go kick butt anyway.
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,509
comment
nostrademons
2007-04-10T21:15:19
null
Here three.
null
null
11,506
11,496
null
[ 11515 ]
null
null
11,510
story
nonrecursive
2007-04-10T21:15:57
Looking for someone in the Boston area to work with
null
1
null
11,510
2
[ 11523, 11517 ]
null
null
11,511
comment
johnmurch
2007-04-10T21:16:06
null
Same here
null
null
11,506
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,512
comment
randallsquared
2007-04-10T21:16:09
null
Good luck. We're on that path, too.
null
null
11,505
11,502
null
null
null
null
11,513
comment
brett
2007-04-10T21:16:47
null
I was pretty certain is was going to be a no the second I had to put two names in the founders box and one in the "moving to boston" box. Not that I'm sure that was the only issue, but timing's a bitch. Good luck to anyone going to Mountain View.
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
[ 11534 ]
null
null
11,514
comment
huangnankun
2007-04-10T21:17:00
null
we did
null
null
11,500
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,515
comment
randallsquared
2007-04-10T21:17:17
null
Here four.
null
null
11,509
11,496
null
[ 12438 ]
null
null
11,516
comment
blader
2007-04-10T21:17:45
null
we did.
null
null
11,500
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,517
comment
danw
2007-04-10T21:18:02
null
Working on what area?
null
null
11,510
11,510
null
null
null
null
11,518
comment
casta
2007-04-10T21:18:17
null
We provided a demo link: novlet.com, but apparently they didn't visit it.
null
null
11,500
11,285
null
[ 11973, 11650, 11699 ]
null
null
11,519
comment
huangnankun
2007-04-10T21:18:27
null
To everyone rejected, don't give up , remember the fedex story, bootstrap it and work hard!
null
null
11,285
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,520
comment
jsjenkins168
2007-04-10T21:19:09
null
We did not provide a link to our demo. They didnt look at my personal site with all my info either.
null
null
11,500
11,285
null
[ 11529 ]
null
null
11,521
comment
jaed
2007-04-10T21:19:53
null
Congrats to all the winners. And to those that didn't, here's a great link:<p><a href="http://www.bvp.com/port/anti.asp">http://www.bvp.com/port/anti.asp</a><p>We're all lucky to even have the opportunity to work on our startups, in a country that actually rewards people for working hard. <p>As Steve Jobs said..."Stay hungry. Stay foolish." Have fun!
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,522
comment
imp
2007-04-10T21:20:22
null
I use the middle mouse button.
null
null
11,401
11,340
null
[ 11692 ]
null
null
11,523
comment
nonrecursive
2007-04-10T21:21:47
null
I actually live about 40 minutes NW of Boston (Carlisle), and would love to get together with a couple other folks to kick around ideas with and work together on web apps with - and if things work out, co found a startup with.<p>Right now I primarily work with Ruby on Rails, but I also like online marketing and doing design every once in awhile. I have a lot of ideas I've been sitting on for awhile, and soon I'll have enough saved up that I'll be able to take time off and really work on them. I absolutely love Rails and would love to have a successful site that I could have 100% creative freedom with. My idea of relaxing after a day of client work is to work on one of my side projects :)<p>My email is daniel at flyingmachinestudios dot com (my web site hasn't been updated in awhile. my excuse is that I've been too busy, and I really haven't had to) .<p>Good luck to everyone who got accepted, and everyone who (like me) didn't :)
null
null
11,510
11,510
null
null
null
null
11,524
comment
zaidf
2007-04-10T21:21:53
null
To all ya'll shouting "rejection", best thing in my view you can do is START YOUR START-UP. <p>YC or any kind of funding is a very helpful aide but at the end of the day most startups are born out of few guys making something great and THEN seeking outside help. <p>Can't wait to see the Valley at last!
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,525
comment
vlad
2007-04-10T21:24:29
null
Sorry to hear, Omar. I was rejected, too! <p>I submitted my application on April 6th after I specifically nulled out my entire application before because I didn't want to be in Boston this summer, because I got an e-mail that said "you had started an application but never clicked Submit. Please go in and submit it." When I went via the special link in the e-mail, I saw that half of my application was still there, even though I specifically had previously deleted each field and saved it blank because I didn't want to apply or to share my information. So, I said, what the heck, they contacted me, and it seems my details were recovered from their database even though I deleted the fields, and I could say I was special if I both got in and had applied late on the 6th via a special e-mail link, so that made it interesting; so, I clicked Submit. I'm also a single founder who has a pre-existing corporation, so I guess I struck out on all the important fields that matter. :P Finally, I also knew from some post here that they say "please laugh at us if we were wrong to reject you", so I knew that even if I received such a letter, it would be fun to take them up on the offer. :P<p>The best part about YC, and one I will always be thankful for, is the chance to attend the Startup School. So, whether you are specifically selected for YC or not, it's good that there are many entrepreneurial peers in Cambridge and Mountain View who you can associate with, thanks to YC. Second, the articles on this site. Third, this news.ycombinator.com web site. Fourth, meeting great people.<p>The 5K+5K per person is great regardless of whether you are selected or not. I'm rooting for as many teams as possible get selected, versus for any one specific team, because we all benefit from a huge number of peer startups, regardless of who specifically it is. It's very lonely for those who aren't in those startup hotspots, and news.yc does something in additional to PG's articles--allows people to feel like they're part of the scene in YC, whether they are selected for YC or move to one of those areas themselves, without feeling like strangers. But, that money isn't going to make or break a startup, and if you decide not to continue because of it (or you haven't already started your idea), time is ticking.
null
null
11,498
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,526
comment
zaidf
2007-04-10T21:27:42
null
Depends on what perspective you subscribe to and decide to follow. For example, launching in summer <i>might</i> not get you all the visitors you want but it will also give you time to use summer to optimize your site in time for when summer ends and you <i>supposedly</i> get the new visitors.<p>I did learn in my media planning class that TV use significantly goes down during summer. I've a feeling the same holds true for computer use.
null
null
11,492
11,491
null
null
null
null
11,527
story
usablecontent
2007-04-10T21:28:36
Viacom Partners With Yahoo, Dumps Google In Search Advertising
null
http://startupmeme.com/2007/04/10/viacom-partners-with-yahoo-dumps-google-in-search-advertising/
1
null
11,527
0
null
null
null
11,528
comment
gyro_robo
2007-04-10T21:28:42
null
Was rejected.
null
null
11,285
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,529
comment
knewjax
2007-04-10T21:29:46
null
Well it seems it did not play a huge role either way. In my opinion a demo or a prototype is a huge advantage in getting across an idea. At the same time we were reluctant to show ours this early in the process. Anyway goodluck to those who made it. Maybe I will see you at some of the Boston web meetups.
null
null
11,520
11,285
null
[ 11536 ]
null
null
11,530
comment
mukund
2007-04-10T21:30:05
null
we got rejected too. No worries as its the start of a long journey :)
null
null
11,497
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,531
comment
danw
2007-04-10T21:30:16
null
Are you still going to get an apartment in Boston/SF and get on with it anyway?
null
null
11,498
11,496
null
[ 11538 ]
null
null
11,532
comment
cwilbur
2007-04-10T21:33:57
null
Rejected here too. I'm not surprised; it was a long shot to begin with, and I don't think my goals as a founder and their goals as investors really lined up. It probably didn't help that I'm a sole founder, either.<p>Time for Plan B. Powerball tickets. Er, I mean, the slowly growing micro-ISV approach.
null
null
11,502
11,502
null
[ 11755 ]
null
null
11,533
story
joshwa
2007-04-10T21:34:12
delete me
null
http://ycombinator.com/s2007announcements.html#sent
1
null
11,533
-1
null
null
true
11,534
comment
joshwa
2007-04-10T21:36:11
null
yep, same here.
null
null
11,513
11,496
null
[ 11542 ]
null
null
11,535
comment
knewjax
2007-04-10T21:37:39
null
Is anyone else more motivated by rejection than acceptance? A passion to prove yourself and your ideas maybe?
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
[ 11541 ]
null
null
11,536
comment
melhorn
2007-04-10T21:40:56
null
we didn't make it. Maybe it was because we didn't get that prototype online. <p>I seriously might go over to JoyEnt and kill all those lousy bastards ;-) We were promised our new server repeatedly the next day for two weeks now, believed in it and didn't just put that damn thing online on an improvised dyndns box. Big fault, I suppose... :(
null
null
11,529
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,537
comment
mukund
2007-04-10T21:41:03
null
Rejected too and we know reason why we were rejected :) So no hard feelings as i had posted before its YC or we go alone.
null
null
11,502
11,502
null
[ 11642 ]
null
null
11,538
comment
jaed
2007-04-10T21:41:05
null
Yeah we are going to be in Boston. Anyone else working on stuff gonna be around here?
null
null
11,531
11,496
null
[ 11640 ]
null
null
11,539
comment
a5huynh
2007-04-10T21:41:19
null
Rejected. Kind of felt like college applications all over again.<p>Congrats and good luck to those accepted.<p>I look at this rejection not as failure, or as any sort of inferiority, but rather an opportunity to work even harder/efficient/cheaper.<p>Thank you Y Combinator.
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,540
story
amichail
2007-04-10T21:42:29
To those whose applications have been rejected -- how about a collaboration to test and promote each other's startup prototypes?
null
2
null
11,540
7
[ 11545, 11549, 11544, 11567 ]
null
null
11,541
comment
wensing
2007-04-10T21:43:49
null
Definitely. It also settles the fact that I need to find a day job immediately rather than possibly 3 months from now. :-)
null
null
11,535
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,542
comment
johnmurch
2007-04-10T21:47:27
null
Yea, one of our members couldnt, but o well. Maybe next year.
null
null
11,534
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,543
comment
far33d
2007-04-10T21:47:30
null
done!
null
null
11,463
11,437
null
[ 11548 ]
null
null
11,544
comment
danw
2007-04-10T21:48:27
null
I saw a site with just that intention this morning. I'll see if I can dig up the link. Other alternatives are posting it here on news.YC or on <a href="http://demomyapp.com/">http://demomyapp.com/</a>
null
null
11,540
11,540
null
[ 11547 ]
null
null
11,545
comment
cata
2007-04-10T21:49:10
null
I'm working on a website that will do just that... promote new products and give early feedback to founders. The page will be available at spreadmyproduct.com (nothing there yet!).<p>By the way, if anyone is interested in joining me, please drop me a line at c dot ciocov at iu-bremen dot de.
null
null
11,540
11,540
null
[ 11721, 11557 ]
null
null
11,546
comment
seunosewa
2007-04-10T21:51:03
null
I'm going to build an ultimate web forum with Python
null
null
10,748
10,748
null
null
null
null
11,547
comment
amichail
2007-04-10T21:51:11
null
The problem with demomyapp is that youtube videos have low resolution.<p>I think this would be a better way to demo your app:<p><a href="http://www.debugmode.com/wink/">http://www.debugmode.com/wink/</a>
null
null
11,544
11,540
null
null
null
null
11,548
comment
jwecker
2007-04-10T21:53:25
null
brilliant
null
null
11,543
11,437
null
null
null
null
11,549
comment
jward
2007-04-10T21:53:43
null
Sounds like a great idea! I'd also like to be able to help other startups in other ways such as coding help and the like.<p>What we need first off is an easy way to get in touch with each other. Posting back and forth on YC News would get messy after a while and I think a less public venue would be better. If anybody is interested I can throw up a web forum.
null
null
11,540
11,540
null
null
null
null
11,550
comment
schoudha
2007-04-10T21:57:04
null
Good luck to all who got rejected and congrats to those who made it to the next step. We got rejected also, kind of expected since admittedly we were more interested in seeing what startup life was like than our actual idea.<p>My partner and I are off to Silicon Valley anyway for jobs, however the Y-Combinator process has made us hungrier then ever to ultimately do something on our own. <p>I'm going to make sure Google doesn't remain a "blackhole" as PG described it :)
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
[ 11561 ]
null
null
11,551
story
vlad
2007-04-10T21:59:03
Vote up if you're rejected but will still proceed
null
50
null
11,551
62
[ 11623, 11644, 11694, 11592, 11558, 11872, 11609, 11616, 12054, 11862, 11554, 11757, 11646, 11659, 11663, 11634, 11575, 11810, 11589 ]
null
null
11,552
comment
rokhayakebe
2007-04-10T21:59:23
null
Reality Check. Anyone who was half serious about this application is hurt somehow. The reason why it sucks is not so much due to the fact that you are not going to hang out with "startupreneurs" and PG but because this was a competition and your product was judged not as good as those that made it. That is what hurts. Maybe you can take a step back today and take a look at what you are doing and ask yourself "How can I make better, more simple and scale it?" or "How can we make people see that this is better than other products out there and a business can be built around it?" because if you believe it is great, than maybe you fail to present it the proper way. Take the rest of the day off. Get a drink, socialize, shut that computer down and relax. Tomorrow your head will be clear and you can start working on your startup again. Not because it will make you a millionaire, or because it will get you respect, but just because that is what you love to do and without it your Puzzle is just not complete. Ciao'
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
[ 11572, 12437 ]
null
null
11,553
comment
knewjax
2007-04-10T21:59:32
null
Rejection the best motivator? or is it just me? The passion to prove yourself and your ideas is more motivating than acceptance. Anyway we have some extra office space available to share with all you future ycombinator startups that will be locating in boston for the summer. We are located in davis square minutes from harvard sqaure in cambridge. We have been there for 4 months now and have 2-3 desks to spare. You can see pics at dreamvex.com (our soon to be designed blog).<p>If anyone is interested when you move to the city, you can email me at todd at dreamvex.com <p>goodluck to everyone who got an interview.
null
null
11,285
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,554
comment
mukund
2007-04-10T22:00:19
null
We have been telling this from first, YC or not, we will go for it. We are still in the race to make it happen and go live
null
null
11,551
11,551
null
[ 11562 ]
null
null
11,555
comment
ryan
2007-04-10T22:00:44
null
Could I grab an invite? [email protected]<p>Cheers, R
null
null
11,364
11,339
null
null
null
null
11,556
comment
jward
2007-04-10T22:01:03
null
If you launch in the summer you'll have several months of user feedback to improve your site before the mad rush. You don't have to do a full out PR blitz launch and tell techcrunch or the like about it. Just put it out there and tell a few people and see what they say and how they use it.<p>I'd still launch it as soon as possible personally ;)
null
null
11,492
11,491
null
null
null
null
11,557
comment
amichail
2007-04-10T22:03:13
null
I think it would also be important to use each other's prototypes on a semi-regular basis. <p>It would be hard to attract users if the site does not look busy.
null
null
11,545
11,540
null
null
null
null
11,558
comment
jward
2007-04-10T22:03:18
null
Reddit has made me wary of vote polls, so I won't vote up. But we are still going to do our thing. I'm looking at the silver lining of not getting in. Moving really sucks ;)
null
null
11,551
11,551
null
[ 11574 ]
null
null
11,559
comment
mattjaynes
2007-04-10T22:03:34
null
Bummer to get rejected - just not meant to be for us. Fortunately we are self-funded and bootstrapping it. YCombinator is really the only funding we would consider, since it would be much more than just the small funding. <p>The one relief I have is not having to think so much about an exit. That was my main concern with taking investment. I really don't have much interest in thinking about exit strategies. We're much more focused on building a profitable private company like 37Signals or SmugMug. That may change someday, but for now that's our sole focus.<p>Even for those they don't fund, YCombinator puts out a TON of value for early startups: Paul's essays, Jessica's book, Startup News, Startup School, etc. That generates huge good-will for them and is a great example for other seed-funders and VC's to follow.<p>Thanks YC and thanks to all the contributors here ;)
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,560
comment
jamiequint
2007-04-10T22:05:18
null
I sense a marketing opportunity for blackberry in this thread! :) yay for push email<p>
null
null
11,285
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,561
comment
patryn20
2007-04-10T22:10:41
null
Hey, where are you networking to find jobs out there?<p>I have a lot of experience, but not a complete degree. I live in Texas currently, so I have no real "ins" out in Silicon Valley.<p>I want to get into either a startup or a job less time-consuming than my current one. The first gives me startup experiences, while the latter gives me time to work on my own projects. <p>Any tips would be GREATLY appreciated.
null
null
11,550
11,496
null
[ 11651 ]
null
null
11,562
comment
amichail
2007-04-10T22:10:52
null
I think it's important to be flexible though. If an idea does not seem to be getting much traction, you might consider moving on to your next idea.
null
null
11,554
11,551
null
[ 11565 ]
null
null
11,563
story
juwo
2007-04-10T22:11:32
Take Heart, There's Life without YCombinator. If you are rejected, dont be dejected!
null
2
null
11,563
1
[ 11564 ]
null
null
11,564
comment
juwo
2007-04-10T22:11:49
null
Our plan B <a href="http://juwo-works.blogspot.com/2007/04/our-plan-b.html">http://juwo-works.blogspot.com/2007/04/our-plan-b.html</a><p>which we shall put into action now!<p>Can you come up with one too?
null
null
11,563
11,563
null
null
null
null
11,565
comment
mukund
2007-04-10T22:12:18
null
Not really dude, we believe that wasnt the criteria for rejection. We believe in our idea and we will implement that and will go live. Then we will do a soul search depending on how the world reacts
null
null
11,562
11,551
null
[ 11620, 11566 ]
null
null
11,566
comment
amichail
2007-04-10T22:13:50
null
Well, yes, you would probably want to see how the world reacts before giving up.
null
null
11,565
11,551
null
[ 11581 ]
null
null
11,567
comment
juwo
2007-04-10T22:15:55
null
Sure, then Amichail's app will start looking like Anil's app :) or the other way 'round.<p>(For those that dont know, Amichail's app could well become a competitor of mine)
null
null
11,540
11,540
null
null
null
null
11,568
comment
vlad
2007-04-10T22:16:37
null
I heard that March is the best month to launch, and April through December are very bad. I guess you will have to wait until March. :)<p>Actually, everybody always says a.s.a.p. Most people think they're competing against "people who will rip me off as soon as I release my product" which leads to conclusions of "if I release on day X, I will be ripped off Y number of days later, so I should wait until Z, the perfect time, to release." In fact, there's a higher chance that there are startups and current companies doing something similar REGARDLESS of YOU.<p>A lot of the reason existing companies have not caught on to idea X is because the whole reason you have idea Y is because the current companies just came out with idea X and there's simply no way to do Y before X. So, they may have already had your idea Y in mind, or started working on it, but had to release X first. So, when you got your idea, so did employees of all of these other companies, as well as budding entrepreneurs. So, you should release and at least get credit for being first. The whole point of being a startup is you can create whatever there's a huge chance big companies are working on as well, but much faster because you're just implementing basic features and avoiding bureacracy, as well as have no responsibilities. So, if you're trying to do a startup PG-style, I would try to create it and release it as soon as it works, with the bare features in it, and get publicity about it.<p>I'm sure there are other mantras, like targeting a very small niche and improving the product, and only publicizing it when its ready (but you have tons of feedback from your small niche). Or, maybe getting a lot of venture capital straight off and partnering with big shots after you're much older and have many contacts. But I think if you're doing it PG-style (and I don't speak for him), you should release it as soon as it works. More or less.
null
null
11,491
11,491
null
[ 11806, 11591 ]
null
null
11,569
comment
abossy
2007-04-10T22:18:27
null
Somebody should start a network for YC-rejects. You could even turn it into an idea that you apply to YC with!
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
[ 11570 ]
null
null
11,570
comment
danw
2007-04-10T22:19:55
null
null
null
11,569
11,496
null
null
null
true
11,571
comment
dfranke
2007-04-10T22:20:50
null
Rejected :-(<p>Now I have a decision to make between trying to bootstrap my startup in my spare time, or accepting a job offer from another startup.
null
null
11,496
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,572
comment
abossy
2007-04-10T22:20:51
null
Agreed.<p>Failure is only a stepping stone toward success. Startup founders, consider yourselves one step closer.
null
null
11,552
11,496
null
null
null
null
11,573
comment
gyro_robo
2007-04-10T22:23:17
null
Us rejects should team up.<p>There's nothing investors hate more than missing out on something big, especially if it was originally offered right to them, like Apple and HP/Atari.
null
null
11,490
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,574
comment
vlad
2007-04-10T22:24:25
null
Well, I voted you up even though I disagree with your belief about not voting up.
null
null
11,558
11,551
null
null
null
null
11,575
comment
dfranke
2007-04-10T22:26:08
null
I'm not sure. Without someone to pay my living expenses, I can't work on it full time. So I'm deciding between moonlighting it, or taking a job with another startup.
null
null
11,551
11,551
null
[ 11625 ]
null
null
11,576
comment
stcorbett
2007-04-10T22:26:35
null
Me too, twice :). I can't wait to see who got funded. Maybe they want to show us their apps?
null
null
11,502
11,502
null
null
null
null
11,577
story
Stuzo
2007-04-10T22:27:13
Are you my cofounder(s)?
null
2
null
11,577
3
[ 11579 ]
null
null
11,578
story
mattjaynes
2007-04-10T22:27:50
YFratrinator - Google Group: Resources for YC fans (and rejects) ;)
null
http://groups.google.com/group/yfratrinator
4
null
11,578
1
[ 11587 ]
null
null
11,579
comment
Stuzo
2007-04-10T22:27:50
null
So, I did not get an interview. The purpose of me entering was to network and connect with possible team members for my current project. I am a non technical founder who has gone at it with a team of hired individuals. I am a business guy at heart and understand tech from a product and design standpoint better than most, but I can’t write code. I have invested over $100k of my own money into the project. I am looking to bring on board two rockstar programmers as cofounders. <p>The site is www.stuzo.com. We currently have close to 7,000 community members and the site has some revenues. The site was originally launched as an intercampus textbook exchange that enabled college students to buy and sell online and then to meet on campus for the exchange. The model and the site have gone through a complete overhaul over the past 6 months. The new site just went live today. We are tidying things up this week and will begin a grassroots on/offline marketing campaign next week. My goal is to connect people through the media they own, love, and want. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to build out the vision. <p>Check out the site and drop me a line if you like what you see. You can reach me via aim/gtalk/skype. My name for all is stuzoguy.
null
null
11,577
11,577
null
[ 11840 ]
null
null
11,580
story
knewjax
2007-04-10T22:28:56
Any of the rejects looking for some working space in boston?
null
2
null
11,580
2
[ 11582 ]
null
null
11,581
comment
vlad
2007-04-10T22:29:01
null
If you honestly think PG rejected people based on their idea, I think you're wrong. That's probably the last criteria he used. So, work on the idea. I would reject 90% of submissions, too, if I was running something like this.<p>For example, with Google, Google AdSense was the glue that made everything work (profitability, great product, many users, good reputation, ability to have free food.) You might say their demo and pagerank was actually important, but they couldn't even sell that for $1 million dollars. Heck, even right now, nobody would buy their original technology as Yahoo! and MSN must have already surpassed the original PageRank in quality.
null
null
11,566
11,551
null
[ 11583, 12445 ]
null
null
11,582
comment
knewjax
2007-04-10T22:29:48
null
we have 2-3 desks extra in davis square. We are a bit isolated and would liek to work with some of the rejects that are more motivated by rejection than acceptance.<p>you can check the space out here. www.dreamvex.com
null
null
11,580
11,580
null
[ 11672 ]
null
null
11,583
comment
mukund
2007-04-10T22:31:23
null
yep vlad. As i told you, we know why we were rejected. so its not the idea
null
null
11,581
11,551
null
[ 11585, 11588 ]
null
null
11,584
comment
dfranke
2007-04-10T22:32:06
null
Bummer. I guess that finally puts a fork in the karma theory of YC admissions.
null
null
11,495
11,285
null
[ 11586 ]
null
null
11,585
comment
amichail
2007-04-10T22:35:00
null
I think what's important is to do some preliminary user testing to see if people can even understand what the application is all about.<p>Of course, if you are trying to keep your idea secret, then this could be difficult to do.
null
null
11,583
11,551
null
[ 11590 ]
null
null
11,586
comment
danw
2007-04-10T22:38:34
null
There were too many reasons against me in my application. The idea is weak, poorly explained, no demo, etc. My cofounder also dropped out on me after we submitted the application so I would have had to disclose that I'm now a single founder which would have guaranteed rejection. Never mind, on to plan B.
null
null
11,584
11,285
null
null
null
null
11,587
comment
mattjaynes
2007-04-10T22:44:23
null
This is a group of YCombinator fans (and cough, cough, rejected applicants).<p>YCombinator News is a great resource, but it's content has a short lifespan (by design). This group site is meant to be a permanent resource for discussions among our bootstrapping peers ;)
null
null
11,578
11,578
null
null
null
null
11,588
comment
vlad
2007-04-10T22:45:32
null
null
null
11,583
11,551
null
null
null
true
11,589
comment
jason13
2007-04-10T22:48:39
null
Did y combinator even take much of a look at the demo's?
null
null
11,551
11,551
null
[ 11656 ]
null
null
11,590
comment
mukund
2007-04-10T22:55:46
null
Well its ok. We would dare to go ahead and see how users take our model
null
null
11,585
11,551
null
[ 11653 ]
null
null
11,591
comment
awt
2007-04-10T22:56:47
null
+1 for insightfulness
null
null
11,568
11,491
null
null
null
null
11,592
comment
neurokinetikz
2007-04-10T23:01:12
null
today was an odd day ...<p>it started out with my site (neurokinetikz.com) winning a webby award<p><a href="http://webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?category_id=48">http://webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?category_id=48</a> <p><p>and then ended with a rejection email from YC<p> odd indeed ...<p>c'est la vie ;)
null
null
11,551
11,551
null
[ 11795 ]
null
null
11,593
story
juwo
2007-04-10T23:03:32
Hatching chicks! Visualize Google/Microsoft/Yahoo/AOL starting another YC. Wouldn't that give them enormous leverage?
null
1
null
11,593
1
[ 11595 ]
null
null
11,594
story
wcrosby
2007-04-10T23:04:47
Lessons learned after 3 months of Y Combinator
null
http://pioneerit.blogspot.com/2007/04/my-innoview-with-wayne-crosby.html
33
null
11,594
6
[ 11779, 11685, 11807, 11636 ]
null
null
11,595
comment
juwo
2007-04-10T23:05:08
null
(I know its hatching eggs, but chicks sounds better)
null
null
11,593
11,593
null
null
null
null
11,596
story
domp
2007-04-10T23:05:36
Anyone from Boston interested in being a part of a music startup?
null
1
null
11,596
1
[ 11598 ]
null
null
11,597
comment
neurokinetikz
2007-04-10T23:06:45
null
I'm wondering if I should email them about the webby award i won today for the site they rejected ;)<p>neurokinetikz.com<p><a href="http://webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?category_id=48">http://webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?category_id=48</a>
null
null
11,502
11,502
null
[ 11753, 11741 ]
null
null
11,598
comment
domp
2007-04-10T23:06:56
null
My co-founder and I have been working on a new music industry model. If you're around the Boston area and interested in collaborating than send me an email: [email protected]
null
null
11,596
11,596
null
null
null
null
11,599
comment
josephroberts
2007-04-10T23:07:07
null
Hi. While I totally agree with your conclusion, you and so many other "analysts" totally miss the #1, the premier reason why Microsoft has been dead for a long time ( 5 years). Microsoft had a massive leadership (not brain) drain during the late 1990's web gold rush. They've never recovered. And, at a time when their girth most demanded leadership, it was gone. Long gone. To Google, Apple, and few dozen other top SV firms.
null
null
9,770
9,770
null
null
null
null