Simon Willison's Weblog: y-combinator

Quoting Yishan Wong

2024-02-20T16:23:28+00:00

In 2006, reddit was sold to Conde Nast. It was soon obvious to many that the sale had been premature, the site was unmanaged and under-resourced under the old-media giant who simply didn't understand it and could never realize its full potential, so the founders and their allies in Y-Combinator (where reddit had been born) hatched an audacious plan to re-extract reddit from the clutches of the 100-year-old media conglomerate. [...]

— Yishan Wong

Tags: reddit, startups, y-combinator

REGENT: Coastal Travel. 100% Electric

2023-05-24T02:17:08+00:00

REGENT: Coastal Travel. 100% Electric

As a long-time fan of ekranoplans this is very exciting to me: the REGENT Seaglider is a fully electric passenger carrying wing-in-ground-effect vehicle designed to serve coastal routes, operating at half the cost of an aircraft (and 1/10th the cost of a helicopter) and using hydrofoils to resolve previous problems with ekranoplans and wave tolerance. They’re a YC company and the founder has been answering questions on Hacker News today. They’ve pre-sold 467 vehicles already and expect them to start entering service in various locations around the world “mid-decade”.

Via Hacker News

Tags: ekranoplans, y-combinator

Launch HN Instructions

2021-07-19T01:05:37+00:00

Launch HN Instructions

The instructions for YC companies that are posting their launch announcement on Hacker News are really interesting to read. “As founders, you’re used to talking to users, customers, and investors. HN readers are not any of those—what they are is peers, and using any of those styles with peers feels clueless and entitled. [...] To interest HN, write in a factual, personal, and modest way about what problem you solve, why it matters, how you solve it, and how you got there.”

Via dang

Tags: hacker-news, marketing, y-combinator

What is the single greatest value-add from Y Combinator?

2016-08-15T13:32:00+00:00

My answer to What is the single greatest value-add from Y Combinator? on Quora

It's very difficult to pick the best one, but from our experience here's something that really stood out: the sense of camaraderie and trust you have in others who are also going through YC.

Building a startup is incredibly difficult. Almost by definition, you have no idea what you are doing and every day you'll need to figure out how to do something brand new (to you) to as high a standard as possible: interview a candidate, pitch an investor, prepare a press release etc etc etc.

Unfortunately, it's also a bad idea to be honest about how difficult you are finding it. If someone asks how your startup is going the only correct answer is “yeah, totally awesome!” even if you are completely drowning. After all, that person might be or know a potential investor, employee, business partner or customer!

YC helps here because when you join you enter a code of fellowship with your fellow YC companies (certainly those in the same batch, but it extends to alumni companies too). You'll keep their secrets, and they will keep yours.

This means you now have the largest, most engaged and helpful support group you could possibly imagine!

Having trouble putting together a plan for your launch? So are half the other companies in your batch. Go swap notes with them and figure it out together.

Raised money in dollars but need to convert it to another currency and don't know how to do it? Someone else in your batch had to figure out exactly that last week, and since they only just learnt it themselves they are the best person to learn from.

Feel like everything is going to pieces and your company is doomed? Get together for dinner and you'll find that EVERYONE feels like that, then swap stories about your latest disasters with each other.

If you're not in YC it's still possible to build up a trusted network like this, but it's s huge amount of work: find other founders you trust at a similar stage to you, get them to trust you, then introduce them to each other and hope that everyone clicks. YC does that all for free and grants you a much larger network than you could ever build by yourself.

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora

What are the best strategies to get a tech job at YC-backed startups in the next 5 months?

2015-12-18T11:02:00+00:00

My answer to What are the best strategies to get a tech job at YC-backed startups in the next 5 months? on Quora

Keep an eye on jobs | Hacker News - it's the official listing of almost all jobs advertised at YC companies.

Tags: jobs, startups, y-combinator, quora, careers, techstars, 500startups

We applied to Y Combinator a few weeks ago and submitted a demo. We made significant progress since then and have a much better demo now. Is it possible to replace the demo? Is it advisable?

2014-03-28T16:59:00+00:00

My answer to We applied to Y Combinator a few weeks ago and submitted a demo. We made significant progress since then and have a much better demo now. Is it possible to replace the demo? Is it advisable? on Quora

It's fine to replace the demo, and definitely a good idea if your new demo is better. That said, don't expect that anyone who has viewed the old demo will check out the new one. As a result the sooner you get the new demo in place the better.

Tags: y-combinator, quora

Are there any YC startups based around open source software?

2014-03-05T11:16:00+00:00

My answer to Are there any YC startups based around open source software? on Quora

There have been a few.

Meteor.js is the most obvious example (YCS11, fully open source, raised $11.2 million): Meteor Raises $11.2M Round Led by Andreessen Horowitz.

Reddit have released all of their source code though I'm pretty sure they did that long after they went through YC: reddit on GitHub

DotCloud (YCS10) have pivoted to focus on Docker, which is fully open source.

If you browse through the list on Y Combinator Company List you'll certainly find some others.

Tags: y-combinator, quora, docker

Does Y Combinator accept purely app ideas like WhatsApp, Flipboard, etc.?

2014-02-24T10:16:00+00:00

My answer to Does Y Combinator accept purely app ideas like WhatsApp, Flipboard, etc.? on Quora

Yes they do, but you'll need to demonstrate that your team also has the ability to execute on the idea.

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora

What are the key points accelerators such as Y-Combinator drill into their startups?

2014-02-07T18:36:00+00:00

My answer to What are the key points accelerators such as Y-Combinator drill into their startups? on Quora

Build something people want. This is so important that YC have it printed on the T-Shirts they hand out to each batch.

They also teach the importance of launching something and getting real feedback. The entire three month YC process is based around the need to launch and demonstrate traction in order to raise money from investors.

Paul Graham's essays cover many of the lessons that YC teaches startups.

Tags: entrepreneurship, funding, startups, y-combinator, quora

Does Ycombinator welcome projects that are similar to alumnis?

2014-02-03T15:36:00+00:00

My answer to Does Ycombinator welcome projects that are similar to alumnis? on Quora

Y Combinator has funded companies that are similar to alumni in the past. Two examples: they funded dotCloud and Parse, both platform-as-a-service startups, despite having previously funded Heroku.

Tags: y-combinator, quora

Do accelerators (which do not take up equity) accept not-for-profit ventures into their programs? If yes, which are some of the best ones?

2014-01-28T13:41:00+00:00

My answer to Do accelerators (which do not take up equity) accept not-for-profit ventures into their programs? If yes, which are some of the best ones? on Quora

Y Combinator recently started funding non-profits: http://ycombinator.com/np.html

Tags: entrepreneurship, funding, startups, y-combinator, quora, 500startups

How much equity does YCombinator get on average?

2014-01-21T16:24:00+00:00

My answer to How much equity does YCombinator get on average? on Quora

They almost always take 7% - they get diluted down in further rounds.

Tags: funding, startups, y-combinator, quora

Is YCombinator's $20k seed capital enough to keep a team of 3 founders alive in Silicon Valley during the program?

2014-01-15T10:13:00+00:00

My answer to Is YCombinator's $20k seed capital enough to keep a team of 3 founders alive in Silicon Valley during the program? on Quora

Yes - especially if the three founders live together. A three bedroom apartment near Mountain View can be had for around $3-4,000/month (just check Craigslist), which will be the bulk of your expenses. The rest can cover food, car rental and some business-related expenses (we spent some money on office chairs and a desk).

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora

When applying to Y-Combinator, if your current product is just the first step on the way to a much larger product vision which will not be realized for many years, which product should an entrepreneur discuss in an application (the current one, or th...

2013-12-28T15:47:00+00:00

My answer to When applying to Y-Combinator, if your current product is just the first step on the way to a much larger product vision which will not be realized for many years, which product should an entrepreneur discuss in an application (the current one, or the final one)? on Quora

The YC application form has fields that cover this. You should talk about your grand ambition in the "What is your company going to make?" answer, then describe your progress so far in the "How far along are you?" answer.

Tags: y-combinator, quora

What is the Y Combinator cycle?

2013-12-11T16:36:00+00:00

My answer to What is the Y Combinator cycle? on Quora

The winter program generally runs from January until March, with application deadlines the previous October (this year the deadline was was October 21st). Interview invites were sent out on November 4th, and interviews themselves in Mountain View were November 15th-19th. Teams get a yes or no answer the day of their interview.

The summer program runs from June until August, with application deadlines in March. For summer 2013 the deadline was March 29th, invites went out on April 16th, and interviews were April 26th-30th.

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora

Which Y Combinator companies focus on finance?

2013-12-09T18:50:00+00:00

My answer to Which Y Combinator companies focus on finance? on Quora

TrustEgg (YCW11) help people open trust funds for their kids: TrustEgg Allows Anyone To Set Up A Trust For Their Kids | TechCrunch

Tags: funding, startups, y-combinator, quora

Would/Does Y Combinator accept Students (Freshmen/Sophomores Undergrads) if they're planning on going back to college?

2013-12-06T13:30:00+00:00

My answer to Would/Does Y Combinator accept Students (Freshmen/Sophomores Undergrads) if they're planning on going back to college? on Quora

YC want founders who are going to dedicate themselves full time to their companies after the initial three month YC programme has ended. If you're not willing to do that, why should YC give a place to you over someone else who IS willing to make that commitment?

Tags: y-combinator, quora

Would YCombinator have invested in Apple?

2013-12-05T15:21:00+00:00

My answer to Would YCombinator have invested in Apple? on Quora

Yes. YC is about the team, and the fact that those two had built a prototype of a personal computer in their garage (in 1976!) would get them in to YC without any trouble, even considering the quality of applicants YC gets today.

Tags: apple, y-combinator, quora

Where can I find a copy of Y Combinator's user manual (as mentioned in the most recent book by Randall Stross)?

2013-11-27T09:23:00+00:00

My answer to Where can I find a copy of Y Combinator's user manual (as mentioned in the most recent book by Randall Stross)? on Quora

You can't - the manual is confidential and only available to YC founders. If you want to read it, you need to get in to YC!

That said, a great deal of the information YC companies rely on is made available to the public in Paul Graham's essays, including information that was originally just part of the user manual.

Tags: y-combinator, quora

Has anyone been through Y Combinator more than once?

2013-11-25T15:52:00+00:00

My answer to Has anyone been through Y Combinator more than once? on Quora

Yes, this isn't that rare. I think the Hipmunk crew went through YC, despite having previously gone through as part of reddit. The Erics from clutch.io had previously participated in YC as part of Convore.

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora

Does Ycombinator accept applications even though we will not be able to work full time on project?

2013-11-22T18:24:00+00:00

My answer to Does Ycombinator accept applications even though we will not be able to work full time on project? on Quora

Very unlikely. One of the questions on the Y Combinator application form is something along the lines of "Which of the founders listed on this application are ready and able to work full time on this project - please explain". If none of your team are able to work full time on the project, your chances of being picked over other teams who CAN commit are vanishingly small.

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora

Is there a compilation of all of Paul Graham's essays available online?

2013-11-17T12:30:00+00:00

My answer to Is there a compilation of all of Paul Graham's essays available online? on Quora

Yes: his website. http://www.paulgraham.com/articl...

Tags: paul-graham, startups, y-combinator, quora

What's my shot at getting into YC or TechStars NY if I am applying from outside the US, alone with both business experience and technical skills?

2013-11-13T09:58:00+00:00

My answer to What's my shot at getting into YC or TechStars NY if I am applying from outside the US, alone with both business experience and technical skills? on Quora

I'd say your chances are significantly higher than the average application, for both of those programs. Go apply already!

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora, techstars

How many YC companies have tech co-founders?

2013-11-10T18:08:00+00:00

My answer to How many YC companies have tech co-founders? on Quora

Ballpark guess based on my experience in YC: over 90% of YC companies have the technical capability within the founding team to at least ship their MVP. YC is really good at taking technical teams and teaching them the business side of things.

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora

Can you postpone Y Combinator after being accepted?

2013-11-07T13:26:00+00:00

My answer to Can you postpone Y Combinator after being accepted? on Quora

I don't think there's an official policy on this, but I think I've heard of it happening so I imagine it's handled on a case-by-case basis. You should talk to YC about your situation ASAP.

Tags: y-combinator, quora

Does y combinator review applications in the order they were received? If you apply just right before the deadline should you not expect your app to be reviewed before next week?

2013-10-26T16:18:00+00:00

My answer to Does y combinator review applications in the order they were received? If you apply just right before the deadline should you not expect your app to be reviewed before next week? on Quora

Appslications are reviewed in random order.

Tags: y-combinator, quora

Y Combinator: I want to apply to YC and I have 5 people on my team. we have two founders one technical and one designer but on our application I want to only include our three programmers one being a founder. Is this frowned upon at YC and does it hu...

2013-10-25T12:01:00+00:00

My answer to Y Combinator: I want to apply to YC and I have 5 people on my team. we have two founders one technical and one designer but on our application I want to only include our three programmers one being a founder. Is this frowned upon at YC and does it hurt us in the approval process? on Quora

YC are fine with three founders - no need to limit it to two.

It's important to pick the right founders in your application, because only the founders will be allowed to go to all of the YC dinners and office hours. Non-founders can be invited to occasional dinners of office hours (I don't know what the current rules are) but it's the founders that get the vast majority of the benefit of the more structured aspects of the YC experience.

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora

Why was the popular Silicon Valley incubator named Y Combinator?

2013-10-20T09:39:00+00:00

My answer to Why was the popular Silicon Valley incubator named Y Combinator? on Quora

From this interview with Paul Graham http://www.paulgraham.com/frinte...

"It's a function that builds recursive functions without them needing to have names. The Y Combinator is one of those things that seems miraculous when you first encounter it. You wouldn't necessarily have expected such a thing to be possible. We named the company after it partly because we thought it was such a cool concept, and partly as a secret signal to the kind of people we hoped would apply."

Tags: entrepreneurship, paul-graham, siliconvalley, startups, y-combinator, quora

Why are so many YCombinator startups focussed solving logistics, marketplaces or business problems rather than true hardcore engineering problems?

2013-10-02T10:47:00+00:00

My answer to Why are so many YCombinator startups focussed solving logistics, marketplaces or business problems rather than true hardcore engineering problems? on Quora

Because building a successful startup isn't about solving difficult engineering problems, it's about Making Something People Want. Customers pay for services that solve problems they have. They don't care how hard it was to build.

Tags: y-combinator, quora

Are you less likely to be accepted to Y Combinator if you don't know how to make money yet?

2013-09-23T10:49:00+00:00

My answer to Are you less likely to be accepted to Y Combinator if you don't know how to make money yet? on Quora

If you apply and say "we have no idea how we will make money" you are much less likely to be accepted than if you say "we're not 100% sure how we will make money, but our initial thoughts are to try X".

The former demonstrates a lack of initiative and doesn't make a good impression at all.

YC fully expect that your initial idea for a business model will probably not be the one that works out in the end, but that doesn't mean you can get away with not thinking about it.

Every year the quality of applicants gets higher, which means that every year it becomes harder to get in. Applying with an obvious hole in your thought process is not going to help you stand out.

Tags: startups, y-combinator, quora