If you apply to YCombinator, try this ... by Jerry https://padlet.com/doodlebug/yc Don't worry, this is not a leading headline. en-us 2016-03-21 08:03:49 UTC 2024-02-21 06:36:20 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padletuploads.blob.core.windows.net/aws/28330525/94332b03cf8ff601ae1f34e31d973caa1585f1d2/c7989acd93ce6e6f61c827338c98d549.png doodlebug https://padlet.com/doodlebug/yc/wish/101958967 I’m no expert at getting into YCombinator (YC); I have only done it once. And it was such a quick turn of fate that I don’t really remember much. (Other than the fact that Geoff Ralston has really good posture.)

Therefore, in my head, it seems a little pretentious to offer even a hint of advice about applying to YC. But, when I was applying, I travelled the most distant quasars (not to be confused with Qasar) of the Google search index to learn more about the YC application process. And every crumb of information provided a little bit of reassurance. I'm sure you are going through the same phase right now. So, setting my fear of pretentiousness aside, I'll suggest something.

You have four weeks between the YC application submission deadline and the interview. But you only have two between the time they invite you for an interview and the interview itself. So, after you submit the application, don't wait for them to invite you. Assume success and focus your energies on a version of your company that'll look noticeably better at the interview than the status quo. Assume you are in YC and the interview is your demo day.

"But am I not always making my company better?" you ask. Yes (unless you are from Volkswagen), but not everything will be noticeable at the interview. Code refactoring won't be noticeable. Working on a feature that'll launch only after the interview won't be noticeable. A new letterhead won't be noticeable.

Only work on things that you can show/talk about during the interview. If something important is scheduled to happen a few weeks after, hustle to make it happen before. For example:

  1. Is there a massive product improvement that’s six weeks away? Can you cut the scope a little and launch it in three? 
  2. Are there clients in the pipeline that’ll pay in two months who you can convince to pay now? 
  3. Can you prepone those partnership meetings to have a shot at a signed deal before the interview?
  4. Do you have user-retention ideas in a To-Do list somewhere? Can you not wait to "get them just right" and implement what you have by next week?
  5. Can you hire Liam Neeson as your company's brand ambassador?

The right thing to do, obviously, will depend on your startup. I did 1 and 2. Both came in handy during the interview. 

If you get rejected after two weeks of hustle, so be it. Two weeks of premature local optimisation shouldn't hurt your startup much. Better to prepare that Oscar speech and not get a chance to say it than to go on stage only to thank your manager and his dog.

Now, I want to make it perfectly clear - I do not claim to understand how any of these accelerator applications work. This is circumstantial evidence from just one successful crime. Your mileage may vary.

I wish you all the best. 🖖
]]> 2016-03-21 08:06:42 UTC https://padlet.com/doodlebug/yc/wish/101958967 p.s. doodlebug https://padlet.com/doodlebug/yc/wish/102091888 This is what Liam Neeson can do for your company, by the way.]]> 2016-03-21 19:08:00 UTC https://padlet.com/doodlebug/yc/wish/102091888 p.p.s. melanie773 https://padlet.com/doodlebug/yc/wish/102095908 Oh, one more thing: if you subscribe to a religion that has a God/Goddess of luck, this may be a good time to make Him/Her a generous offering.]]> 2016-03-21 19:30:26 UTC https://padlet.com/doodlebug/yc/wish/102095908