YC Winter 2009 application is due today (Friday).
7 comments
I organize Hackers and Founders, a a meetup in the Bay area: http://www.hackersandfounders.com
We held a meetup last night, and had the founders of Heysan and Snipd talk about the YC funding experience and about having a startup.
I was really surprised that out of 40-45 attendees, only about 3-4 were thinking about applying for YC funding. Everybody else was bootstrapping. Some of the guys have really cool web apps that they've built in their spare time like http://www.dabbleboard.com .
I wonder if people's attitudes towards getting funded is changing, or if it's just the demographic of the group that we're attracting. Most of the group is fairly ambivalent towards getting funding.
We held a meetup last night, and had the founders of Heysan and Snipd talk about the YC funding experience and about having a startup.
I was really surprised that out of 40-45 attendees, only about 3-4 were thinking about applying for YC funding. Everybody else was bootstrapping. Some of the guys have really cool web apps that they've built in their spare time like http://www.dabbleboard.com .
I wonder if people's attitudes towards getting funded is changing, or if it's just the demographic of the group that we're attracting. Most of the group is fairly ambivalent towards getting funding.
No such thing as too far along. Speaking as a YC founder who had angel money and a product going in, you'd have to be post-series A for YC not to make sense. The YC logo on your slide deck alone is probably enough to boost your valuation by more than 6.4%.
YCombinator required 6.4% of your already funded company? How much funding did you secure before?
I just noticed that the application deadline is listed as 10PM EST (not PST) on the "Y Combinator Funding Page", though it's listed as 10PM PST on another page. I wonder if this will have any repercussions on anybody...
I noticed that too. But I remember that several hours before 10pm PST on my "Y Combinator Funding Page", the application deadline was still shown as 10PM PST.
I am just wondering how many actually submit their applications. Feel free to cast your vote here if you did apply - http://siong1987.com/yc-winter-2009-is-due-today-at-10pm-pst... .
Current Number of Applications: 23
Then, we can see how competitive it is for Winter 2009 application.
Thanks.
P/S: I will update this comment with the latest number of applications.
Current Number of Applications: 23
Then, we can see how competitive it is for Winter 2009 application.
Thanks.
P/S: I will update this comment with the latest number of applications.
probably not as competitive as before. The whole point of YC is to get contacts so its easier to get VC funding. And with the current economic situations and VCs being stingy most will probably wait for the market to stabilize
Not sure I agree that the whole point of VC is to raise VC funding.
The whole point of YC is to get connected with some great people and build something people want.
The whole point of YC is to get connected with some great people and build something people want.
Agreed, but I also think it varies for the individual/team. Some groups gain mostly from VC exposure, some gain mostly by being able to talk to PG & Co. and others gain molsty from the smart people they're now surrounded by for three months (that was us).
Old, but good: http://particletree.com/notebook/today-is-the-day/
Anyone else feeling nervous?
I hope we at least get an interview so we can present to PG & Co.
I hope we at least get an interview so we can present to PG & Co.
No, but this is also my second time applying. Given how ridiculously competitive it was during the summer round, I feel it's probably unreasonable for just about anyone to get their hopes up.
My advice is, don't bank your startup dreams on getting in. If your team and idea truly have merit, you can and should have a startup plan that does not depend on getting into YC. View it as the best-case scenario instead.
Not getting in, by the way, does not imply that your team and idea don't have merit. Last time they couldn't accept many that did.
My advice is, don't bank your startup dreams on getting in. If your team and idea truly have merit, you can and should have a startup plan that does not depend on getting into YC. View it as the best-case scenario instead.
Not getting in, by the way, does not imply that your team and idea don't have merit. Last time they couldn't accept many that did.
Does YC publish the number of applicants for past rounds?
I saw the number 600 a few times, not sure which round it was for.
Only 50-60 groups will get invited to the interview. :(
Also I read that 75% of the apps are submitted in the week before the deadline.
Only 50-60 groups will get invited to the interview. :(
Also I read that 75% of the apps are submitted in the week before the deadline.
not since TechStars started competing more directly with them.
Not so much nervous myself, maybe if we actually get an interview maybe my nerves will kick in then. ;)
Anyone of you apply with a ready prototype?
Yeah, I was able to get a rough prototype together this week. It doesn't have some of the better features I'm aiming for, but I think it helps to have something visible.
We got our app in this morning. We listed about 4 or 5 other ideas in the app too. Not sure if that helps or hurts.
Sometimes I go back and forth on what idea is most attractive/viable/appropriate.
We got our app in this morning. We listed about 4 or 5 other ideas in the app too. Not sure if that helps or hurts.
Sometimes I go back and forth on what idea is most attractive/viable/appropriate.
Yeah I applied, they have a rough prototype that they can hopefully look at.
I applied last week with a proof of concept ready and a prototype on the horizon (it would be done before the meeting if we got selected to come). Problem is A, it's not all online and the parts that are online aren't quite ready to be seen just yet (plus they don't really make sense unless you see the whole picture.)
We're a bit too far along, but we might.
http://ycombinator.com/w2009.html