
Ask HN: Am I the only one lost interest applying YC? - brokenhope
Applying YC is time consuming and soul crashing at the end. More like a lottery now, what do you think?
======
snake117
In my eyes, the application is free and has a lot of benefit in just doing it.
It makes you think about your idea in depth and asks questions targeting
different areas. For example, you may have thought about how you are going to
get a user base, but have you thought about how you are going to get the
_first_ user, the _second_ , and _third_? Have you thought _that far_ in the
beginning? When I looked at the application this was the question that stumped
me, because I had a general plan/idea as to how to go about getting users, but
not something concrete that could help me get the first few. So now I'm
rethinking my strategy and have some better ideas for my app.

I would still do it. The worst that will happen is that they say "no".

~~~
soneca
I don't know, i have the impression that the application is more about
thinking how impressive you and your achievements are so far. And I don't see
any benefits in this kind of self congratulatory or self disappointment
exercise.

YC always said it was more about the founders than the idea, so applying is
_nothing_ like doing a business model canvas or whatever. That said, I think
it is still very worthy to apply if you think you are a YC-type founder. I
just do not buy that applying is an exercise worthy for itself.

~~~
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.

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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. Without
family ties. Has impressive hacks they can mention on their application. Has a
product with current traction. Has a product with unicorn upside potential
($1B possibilities). Product is very early in its lifecycle. Not a single
founder (preferably two to three). Can sell the startup quickly (this is
important if you make it to the interview) and address potential issues with
the business plan.

But remember that at this point, they probably only interview 1 in 500
applications if that, so there's a lot of chance involved as well.

------
gautamb0
IMO, if you've got your act together, it shouldn't be too difficult. The
questions it poses related to your startup are ones you should be thinking
about day in and day out anyways, and should have easy answers to. If you
don't know how to acquire users or what your product's value proposition is,
you're dead in the water anyways. The questions about your and your
cofounder's accomplishments can be tricky, but in the same vein, if you can't
sell yourself properly, you'll have trouble with conventional applications for
college, jobs etc. anyways, let alone raising funds. On the flip side, if you
can address the tough questions about your startup properly, you just might be
able to do well without them, in which case, who cares whether you get
accepted or not?

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zippy786
The very premise that an idea will get you money is BS. I guess this is a
cultural change and there are those who love it and those who hate it. I fall
on the later and miss days where startups in garage could bring down huge
corporation and it was all about building. Now, it seems most startups are
part of a big corporation via funding and we mostly get to see a plethora of
names ending with "ly" or an "xyz" clone. So, on paper they say stop thinking
about money and yet everything becomes about it. A bit of a double standard I
would say.

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danieltillett
I think it would be nice if YC would make their exclusion criteria explicit. I
understand why they don't, but the pain it is causing young people who don't
know any better is sad.

Stop worrying about YC. Work hard (for someone else), learn everything you
can, save your money, and think a lot. When you have the resources then start
a bootstrapped business and never look back.

~~~
brokenhope
I was thinking YC is for what you just explained in second paragraph. I do
remember the SV scene where guy says "i can not guide you unless you give me
something to guide" May be this startup world is a big lie!

~~~
danieltillett
YC sells itself as an accelerator, not as a lottery.

One of the big changes that have happened over the last few years is that the
resources you need to start a tech business is much reduced to the point that
one skilled person with relatively modest savings can start and build a
serious business. Get on with acquiring the skills and resources you need to
start without needing outside investors.

~~~
brokenhope
I do wish application reflects being accelerator by filtering people in the
beginning who needs incubation. I wish there is a quick and easy way of
bootstrapping the network and connections for a successful exit.

~~~
brokenhope
Would love to hear more about your experience and what was the top 3 do and
dont that you can share

~~~
danieltillett
Have a read of this post on my blog

[http://www.tillett.info/2015/06/24/why-i-kept-my-startup-
in-...](http://www.tillett.info/2015/06/24/why-i-kept-my-startup-in-australia-
and-why-it-was-crazy/)

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denismars
Like all things in startup life - nothing is easy, everything is hard. To me
it sounds like you've given up already.

If you don't have the fire in your belly to overcome challenges, then chances
are you probably won't be very good at building a successful company.

"soul crushing", "lottery" are words that people who easily give up use.
Where's the fire, where's the ambition?

That's one of the most important things I'm looking for in the founding team
when I read applications. I want to see determination, fire in the soul, and
an ambition to go out there and make amazing things happen.

A great founding team can take a shitty idea and still make a success out of
it, a shitty team can take a great idea and make nothing out of it.

~~~
brokenhope
I wish I can show you the fire in me about my startup! If you were knew me you
were seen the determination. But 20 fellowship where min 10 will be remote out
of 6500, dont you agree the lottery part. Can people say rejection email from
YC is not soul crashing(), unless you knew it will not work out.

It's true that I gave up applying to YC but not my dreams!

~~~
denismars
If you are truly determined, and will stop at nothing to build a successful
startup, then I strongly encourage you to apply for YC and don't worry about
your chances or treating it as a lottery.

Yes, it sucks not getting into YC. I know, I didn't get in the first time I
applied, it felt shitty for a day, but then I just went on with building my
startup regardless. I applied again the following year and this time we did
get in. I didn't give up or think about our chances once.

Determination is not something you say, it's something you do, especially when
the odds are stacked up against you. So if you are determined, apply for YC,
don't over think it, then keep moving forward with your world domination
plans.

More here: [http://imars.posthaven.com/so-you-didnt-get-into-yc-now-
what](http://imars.posthaven.com/so-you-didnt-get-into-yc-now-what)

~~~
brokenhope
Did you applied with the same idea with more progress?

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socceroos
As with everything, you can become too focused on a formula as your 'winning
solution' or 'silver bullet'. YC is a formula. There are many formulas to
success.

YC is a leg up, not the ultimate be-all and end-all of getting your startup on
it's feet.

Explore your other options. :)

~~~
brokenhope
Search for "how startup funding works" by Anna Vital. You will realize that YC
is uncle.

i think problem is wys is not wyg. Someone wants to surf and we are becoming
the wave.

I would love to hear alternatives.

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mayi12345
if the reason to not apply YC is "time consuming and soul crashing at the
end", we should not even consider starting a startup at all.

for us, we apply because we realize how much we can learn (why do we know
before even get in? i have talked to a lot of YC alum, and 90% of them that i
talked to are independent and in-depth thinkers, who suggest me to look at
things from different angles. and we could only imagine how much more we can
grow if we get in).

~~~
brokenhope
IMO there is no question about benefits when you get in, i am more focusing to
process.

~~~
mayi12345
calculate your own opportunity cost and sure you will get an answer. Our time
spent to perfect & submit the application is fun and valuable, just as a
reference.

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brokenhope
Solo founder = no insurance, idea needs to be easy to execute with lots of
user base and growth 2 co founders = insurance, but not the best if technical
guy is not that technical. 3 co founders = more insurance, best option, think
about it even if you screw one or two you are good.

As as Solo founder do you have hope at all when it comes to applying to YC?
Please no BS about startups are hard you need help thing!

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geoffbrown2014
At some point you are going to have to sell at your startup. You are going to
have to sell yourself. Selling is a soul crushing, time consuming lottery. But
every once in a while its brilliant. If you think YC application is tough, try
selling to customers. ;) You don't have to apply to YC, but my advice is that
you should probably make peace with the idea.

~~~
brokenhope
If you see selling your company as a lottery then you fouled your self long
time ago about what you are doing in life. I do like my work/effort speak for
itself. I do respect your opinion and have a peace with it.

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tmaly
For me, I am going to keep focusing on building my product. Its the best use
of my time.

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brokenhope
It seems most of the people afraid of commenting, thanks for the silent ack!

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codeonfire
I've always thought of YC as a cool message board site.

~~~
brokenhope
You need to add comments and be part of the wave, isnt PG checks HN although
he has no contribution to HN last two years even as an user, what a metric?
One day if i made couple of million dollars with my stupid startup, i will do
a better job. Especially to the part where you say "we will reject you most
likely but send it anyways"

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genkidesuka
I didnt' even applied yet. I am not at all lose interest xD

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tarekkurdy
There's never just one way. Keep going!

