I've been applying to YC since 2013 (so this is going to be around our 10th time), although with different companies and cofounders. I've never gotten accepted, though we've made it to the interviews twice but never made it to the finish line to actually get in. Here's what I learned that could mean something:<p>1: Every time we got an interview we asked for recommendations. Last time we got a straight up email rejection when we decided it was probably a bad idea to ask again our network for a recommendation for the third time. If anything our startup was doing better than the last time we applied so I'm not sure how their process works.<p>2: We recycled our 1 min video and we got an interview. So if you're too lazy to make a new one, I guess it's fine<p>3: We'll apply for the 10th time sometime this weekend, and probably for the 11th.. fuck it.
I think I applied 4 times for <a href="https://micro.mu" rel="nofollow">https://micro.mu</a> in some form or another. The first time was just an idea. The next an open source project. The next sponsored by a large corporate. The next used by dozens of large reputable companies. I don't bother applying anymore but it's interesting to see the progress in all that time.<p>I know I'll succeed. I don't need YC for that. But I'm sure things would be different if I did have their help.
I’m a YC founder from the S15 batch and worked as an early employee at another company from W12.<p>Happy to review your application or answer any questions from a founder perspective.<p>Email is in profile.
The misconceptions page is interesting i.e. almost all companies were incorporated, half had revenue, almost half had recommendations from alumni and almost half were responding to an RFS.
I heard YC made / considered to make moving to SV full time optional. Coming for 1-2 days per week could be acceptable. Is this true or did I make it up?
I am going to apply, but currently looking for a cofounder[1] after my previous cofounder left. Is it advisable to wait until I've recruited a new cofounder to submit the application?<p>[1] - <a href="https://angel.co/imersme/jobs/386205-co-founder" rel="nofollow">https://angel.co/imersme/jobs/386205-co-founder</a> details about co-founder position (sf bay area) if anyone is interested. Reach me at "me" at my website (in profile) or reply here.
I'm going to apply again. It will be my 8th time.
But this will be my first time applying with a co-founder, live product and paying customers.
If you are a YC alumn, would love to ping you so you can check out our application.
Thank you and good luck everyone!!<p>Ninja Edit... We are looking for a cofounder:<a href="https://angel.co/roboamp/jobs/331401-cofounder" rel="nofollow">https://angel.co/roboamp/jobs/331401-cofounder</a>
YC Bio Application idea: The Artificial Human Womb<p>Prompted by two considerations. Surrogacy centers throughout Indian and Southeast Asia are shuttering as legal regulation catches up with a grey market that often lures young unskilled women with promises of life-changing compensation. Only to deliver much less upon delivery of a newborn infant for adoption. Demand among infertile and / or non-traditional first world families for reproductive solutions creates a window of opportunity for innovation and investment. Public perception is evolving. After all, even thirty years ago so called "test tube babies" once condemned by church doctrine, are now seen as a miracle technology.<p>The other belongs more to the realm of sci-fi or speculation. In the event of a mass depopulation event. Either human-made or environmental. It may become essential to rapidly re-populate the earth. Or off-planet colony. Beginning an artificial womb project today, may yield the fruits necessary a generation or two down the road.<p>To be clear, this is an artificial womb for gestating humans. We don't wish to begin with Mus and work our way up. Funding (ask $1M) would be used primarily to attract the team and begin feasibility study and simulation toward a goal of version one prototype.
How different is the YC non-profit application from the usual route? Do they look for an existing established product or bet on new ones like the company route?
FYI there is a typo in the application:<p>"Do you generate direct program revenue or does it comes from donors? If both, what's the split?"<p>comes -> come
It’s always fun to read the original Dropbox YC application. So well thought out and written.<p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-y-combinator-application-from-2007-by-drew-houston-2013-9" rel="nofollow">http://www.businessinsider.com/dropbox-y-combinator-applicat...</a><p>Are there any founders from recent batches than can still vouch whether YC is still worth it?<p>With insane SF rent prices, one has to burn a big chunk of that 120k in 3 months by just trying to stay alive.<p>Add that to the fact that YC batches are pretty big right now. Do you get much in return other than the YC bragging rights?<p>Would love to learn about the experiences of existing/past founders.