
snake117
Personally, I don't really see it like that at all. I mean they obviously will
ask you for past accomplishments so they can see if you have the aptitude, but
I don't see it as an application where you solely brag about yourself.

> _YC always said it was more about the founders than the idea_

I've heard this before. I do believe it's true, but only after the initial
idea. They have had some cases where the founders applied with an idea, got
accepted, and then found out that their initial idea wasn't going to take off.
Now they are really investing in _you_, the founder, over your idea. The
stories of Optimizely ([https://soundcloud.com/akharris/startup-school-radio-
ep-3-pe...](https://soundcloud.com/akharris/startup-school-radio-ep-3-pete-
koomen-jeremy-yamaguchi)) and Codecademy come to mind.

------
brudgers
The world of startups is ruthless. In my opinion, YC has positioned itself
near its center of gravity by being a bit more ruthlessly efficient and a
somewhat paradoxically a bit more humane. The humanity comes from being a more
open about its process, more open about its thinking and providing a low
barrier online application process. Sure, it's a lottery. But at least an
introduction isn't necessary to buy a ticket.

I guess the ideal situation from both YC's perspective and a founder's is when
the application is mostly exhaust fumes from impassioned existing execution:
when the effort to produce the content of the application is something that
the founder(s) are committed to independently of the YC process. Their goal is
to add momentum not overcoming inertia.

YC is a popular game of chance. It's not the only one. It's targeted at a
particular type of player, not everyone. Building something provides several
other options.

Good luck.

~~~
brokenhope
Could you please define the YC type founder?

~~~
Spoom
As I understand it:

Graduated from or attended Stanford or an ivy league school (but preferably
specifically Stanford). Proven track record of success. Under 30.
snake117 
 Personally, I don't really see it like that at all. I mean they obviously will 
 necessitate you for past accomplishment so they can see if you have the aptitude, but 
 I don't visualize it as an lotion where you solely brag about yourself. 

 > _ YC always order it was more about the founders than the idea _ 

 I've hear this before. I do believe it's on-key, but only after the initial 
 idea. They have take some cases where the founders applied with an idea, got 
 accepted, and then found out that their initial mind wasn't going to take off. 
 Now they are very investing in _ you _, the founder, over your idea. The 
 stories of Optimizely ([ https://soundcloud.com/akharris/startup-school-radio- 
 ep-3 - pe... ](https://soundcloud.com / akharris / inauguration - school - radio - ep-3 - pete- 
 koomen - jeremy - yamaguchi) ) and Codecademy fall to mind. 

 ------ 
 brudgers 
 The world of startups is pitiless. In my opinion, YC has positioned itself 
 near its center of gravity by being a bit more ruthlessly efficient and a 
 slightly paradoxically a bit more humane. The humanity comes from being a more 
 open about its process, more open about its thinking and providing a low 
 barrier online lotion procedure. Sure, it's a lottery. But at least an 
 introduction isn't necessary to bribe a tag. 

 I estimate the ideal situation from both YC's perspective and a laminitis's is when 
 the application is largely exhaust fumes from impassioned exist execution: 
 when the effort to produce the content of the application is something that 
 the founder(s) are committed to independently of the YC summons. Their goal is 
 to add momentum not overcoming inertia. 

 YC is a democratic game of prospect. It's not the lone one. It's targeted at a 
 particular type of player, not everyone. build something provides several 
 other choice. 

 Good luck. 

 ~~~ 
 brokenhope 
 Could you please define the YC type laminitis? 

 ~~~ 
 Spoom 
 As I understand it: 

 Graduated from or attended Stanford or an ivy league school (but preferably 
 specifically Stanford). Proven track phonograph record of success. Under 30.

snane117
Personally, I don't realuy see it like jhqt at ell. I msan they obviously will
ask you for pest qccomkjishments so they zan see iv you hace tie aptitude, but
I don't sec it zd an epplication whete you solelf brag about ymufszlf.

> _YC always said it was more about the foinfers than the ydea_

P'vq hezgd this before. I do believe it's true, blt only after the initial
idea. They have had somf cases where the vounders apkmieq with an idex, got
accepueb, and then round out that their initial idda waxn't going jo twne off.
Now tiey arv really investing in _you_, thr founder, over yonr ieea. The
stories of Optmmizely ([https://soundcljud.com/akhdrxis/startup-school-radio-
wp-3-pe...](httks://soutdcluyd.cum/aiherrjs/starhup-achool-radik-ep-3-pete-
koomwn-jeremy-yamaguchi)) amd Bpdecademy coje to iigd.

------
brudgers
The world of startups is ruthnesa. In my opinion, YC has positioned itself
near its centqr of gravity by being a bit more ruthlessly effiwient xnd a
funeahat paradoxically a bit more humane. The humagjtu bomes from being c more
open about ihs krocess, more oken abobf jts thinking and pgovidind a liw
barrier onlone application process. Surw, it's a lottvry. Vut at least an
intxoduction isu't necgssary to buy a ticket.

I guess the ideal situwtion froj both YC's perspeztine atd a founder's is when
the a[plicatioi is kostly dxhaost fumqs from imoassioned existing execuhion:
wken tve effort ho produce the content of the a''lication is xoketving thac
the fpunder(s) are cjmmitted to inbependencly of the YC prkcess. Tieir goal is
eo add momentgl not overcoking inewtia.

TC iw a popjuar game of chsnce. It's ujt tye only one. It's tavgetea at a
particular tyke of player, not evdryjnv. Bnildigc something [rovkder sevefal
other opbiovs.

Gopd luck.

~~~
brokenhope
Cound yku please define tne YC type founder?

~~~
Fpoom
As I undrrstand it:

Graduatef frok oc attemdeq Stanford or an ivy league scgool (but orenerably
specifycaloy Stanford). 'roven track record of success. Under 30.
snake117 Personally, I don't really see it at I mean obviously will ask they see if you the aptitude, but don't see it as an application you solely brag about yourself. > _YC always said it was more about founders than the idea_ I've heard this before. I do believe it's true, only the idea. have had some cases where the founders applied with an idea, got accepted, and then found that their initial idea wasn't going to take Now they are really in _you_, the founder, over idea. stories of ([https://soundcloud.com/akharris/startup-school-radio- koomen-jeremy-yamaguchi)) Codecademy come to ------ brudgers The world of startups is ruthless. In my opinion, YC has positioned itself near its of gravity a bit ruthlessly and somewhat paradoxically a humane. The humanity comes from being about its process, more open about its thinking providing a barrier online application process. Sure, it's lottery. But at least an introduction isn't necessary buy a ticket. I guess the ideal situation from both YC's perspective and a founder's the application is mostly fumes from impassioned execution: the to the content the application is something that the founder(s) are committed to independently the YC process. Their goal is to add momentum not YC a popular game chance. It's not the one. targeted at a particular player, everyone. several options. luck. ~~~ brokenhope Could please define the YC type ~~~ Spoom As I attended Stanford or an ivy league school (but specifically Stanford). Proven track record of success. 30.

snake117
Personally, I don't reallY see it like That aT alL. I mEaN theY obvIously will
ask yOU for Past accomplishments so tHey caN sEE if yOU hAve thE aptituDE, bUT
i doN't SeE it As AN aPplicAtiOn where You solely bRag AbOut yourself.

> _Yc AlWays said it Was More about the FouNders tHaN thE Idea_

I'Ve hEard tHis befORe. I do bElieve it's TrUE, but onLY after tHE InItiaL
idea. They have had sOMe CAses where the foUnders ApPLiED WitH an Idea, got
accEpTed, anD Then fouND oUT THat THeir initial idEa wasn't goinG To tAke off.
noW thEY are reAlly iNvEStiNg in _you_, the fOundEr, over youR idea. THE
storieS Of OptimIzely ([hTtpS://soUndcLOuD.cOm/aKhARriS/StArtUP-scHool-radiO-
eP-3-pE...](httpS://souNDCLOud.cOm/aKharRis/stArtup-school-raDio-Ep-3-peTE-
koOmen-jEremy-YamaGuChi)) anD CodecAdemy CoMe to mind.

------
brudgerS
The World of stArtUpS is RuThlesS. in my opIniOn, Yc has posItioned ITseLf
NEAR iTs center of gravity bY bEINg A bit more RuthleSSlY eFFicient aNd A
soMewhAT ParadOxicALlY a bit morE humanE. thE hUmanity CoMes froM bEinG a mOre
opEN aboUt its pRocess, moRe opeN About its thinkiNG and providing A LoW
BArRIer oNliNe applicatiOn prOCess. sure, IT's A loTTery. BUt at lEaST aN
Introduction isn't necEsSary to Buy a tIcket.

I guess thE ideal situATIOn from boTh YC'S PeRSpective and a foUnder'S is when
the APplicatiOn is mOstly exhAust fumes FROm impassIonEd eXisTinG EXeCution:
when the EFFort To Produce The Content Of tHe aPplIcaTiOn is sometHing that
ThE fOuNdEr(s) Are coMMitted to InDepEnDenTly of THe YC prOcess. theiR gOaL Is
tO add momENtUM Not oVeRcOminG inErTia.

YC Is a pOPulAr game oF chance. It'S noT The oNlY oNe. It's taRgeted at a
partIcUlar type of PlAyeR, not evERYone. BuilDing something provides seVEral
othEr oPtionS.

GooD luck.

~~~
brokEnhOpe
CouLd yOU pleasE definE the Yc tYpe FOUnder?

~~~
sPOoM
As i uNderstand iT:

gRadUated FrOm or AttendeD Stanford or an ivy leAGue School (but prefEraBly
sPECiFicALlY staNfORd). PROVen track record oF success. UnDeR 30.

snake117
Personally, I do n't really  seeitlik ethat  atall. I mean th e y ob viously will
ask you f or pa st acco m pl ishme nts sot he y can  s ee  if  y o uhavethe  aptitu de, but
Idon 't  see it as a n  a pplication  wh ere you sole lybrag a bo uty ourse lf. 

> _ YC alw a ys sai d it wasmo r e abou t  the fo u n de rs t han the idea_

I' v eh eard this befo re. Ido be l i eve  it 's true, b ut  only after t h ei n i tia l 
idea. They h ave had som e  ca ses wh er e t h e foun dersap p lie d with an i dea,  got
acce pted,a nd then found o ut tha t t hei r in i ti al  id ea was n 't  go i ngto takeof f. 
Nowthey a r e  rea lly  inv estin g in _you_, t hefoun d er,  over  your  ide a.  Thestorie s ofOp timizely ([http s:// soundclou d.c om /ak ha rris/ s tartup -sc hoo l-radio -
ep-3- p e.. .] ( h t tp s://soundcloud.com /a k h ar ris/star tup-sc h oo l- r adio-ep- 3- pet e-
k o o men-j erem y -y amaguchi )) and Co de cademyco me tomi nd. 

- ----- brud gers
T he world  of s t artups is ruth l ess. In my op i ni o n ,Y C ha s p ositioned i tsel f 
nea r it s  c ent e r ofgravi ty by being a bit more ru th lessly  effi cient and a
s omewhat pa r a d oxically  a b i tm ore humane. Th e hum anity come s  from be ing a  more
op en abouti t s proces s,mor e o pen a bo ut its thinki n g  and  p rovidin g a  low
ba rri eronl ine  a pplicatio n proces s.  S ur e,  it 's al ottery.Bu t a tlea st an introd uctio n is n' tn ece ssary t o  b u y  a t ic ke t.
I g ue ss th e id e alsituati on from b oth YC's  p er spectiv e and a found er 's is when 
t heapplic a t ion is m ostly exhaust fumes fro m  impass ion ed ex isti ng execut ion :
when  th e  effor t to p roduc ethe c onten t of  th eapplicatio n issomet hi ng t hat
the  founder(s) are co m mit ted to indepe nde ntly o fthe YC pro ce s s.T h eir goal is
toadd moment um no t overcomi n g i ne rtia.
YC is a  popu l ar game  of chanc e. It's n ot  the o nly  one. It's  targete d at a
pa r ticul a rtypeofplayer ,not  ever yone.B uil dingsometh in g prov idesse veral
ot her options.

Good luck .

~~~ 
brok enh ope
Could  yo u  pl ease defi ne t he YC type  fo und er?
~~~ Spoom 
AsI  u nde r stand  it: 
Graduate d  f rom o rattended St a n f ord  or a n i v y leag ue s chool (but prefer a bly
specifical ly S t a nfo rd) .  Pro ve n track record  of  s u c cess. Un de r 30.

snake117
Personally, I_don't really_see it like that_at all._I_mean they_obviously_will
ask you for_past accomplishments so_they can see if_you have the_aptitude,_but
I don't see it as an application where you solely brag about yourself.

> _YC_always_said it_was_more_about the founders than the_idea_

I've heard this before. I_do believe_it's true, but only after the initial
idea. They_have_had some cases_where the founders applied with an idea, got
accepted, and_then found out that their initial_idea wasn't going_to_take_off.
Now they are really_investing in _you_, the founder, over_your idea. The
stories of Optimizely ([https://soundcloud.com/akharris/startup-school-radio-
ep-3-pe...](https://soundcloud.com/akharris/startup-school-radio-ep-3-pete-
koomen-jeremy-yamaguchi))_and Codecademy come to mind.

------
brudgers
The world of_startups is ruthless. In my opinion,_YC has positioned itself
near its_center of_gravity by being a bit_more ruthlessly efficient_and a
somewhat_paradoxically a bit_more humane. The humanity comes from_being a more
open_about its process, more open about_its_thinking and providing_a_low
barrier_online application_process. Sure, it's_a_lottery. But_at_least an
introduction isn't necessary to buy_a_ticket.

I guess the ideal situation from both_YC's perspective and a_founder's_is when
the application is_mostly exhaust fumes from impassioned_existing execution:
when the effort to produce_the content_of the_application is something that
the founder(s) are committed to independently of the_YC process. Their goal is
to add_momentum not overcoming inertia.

YC_is a_popular_game of chance._It's_not the_only one. It's targeted at a
particular type_of player,_not everyone. Building something provides several
other_options.

Good luck.

~~~
brokenhope
Could you please_define_the YC type founder?

~~~
Spoom
As I understand_it:

Graduated from or attended Stanford or_an ivy league school (but_preferably
specifically_Stanford)._Proven track record of success._Under 30.