I have an idea for a startup, and would love to submit it to the YC program. However, I also have a wife and an infant daughter and the move to either Cambridge or Mountain View would just be too much of a burden.<p>So, is there a similar program but without the move? Or perhaps a little closer to home (Phoenix, AZ)? Or should I pursue a more traditional seed/angel funding route? The biggest attraction of YC to me is the cumulative experience and knowledge of the founders, and I worry that I wouldn't get that with a standard VC path.
<i>So, is there a similar program but without the move? [...] The biggest attraction of YC to me is the cumulative experience and knowledge of the founders, and I worry that I wouldn't get that with a standard VC path.</i><p>How do you expect to get a "similar program" without moving? The cumulative experience and knowledge of YCers isn't something which can be conveyed remotely.<p>My google-fu is failing at the moment, but I remember seeing a comment from pg here a while ago to the extent that YC once tried funding a team remotely, but it didn't work due to the lack of frequent contact. Don't look at YC's move-across-the-country requirement as a roadblock they're putting up -- look at it as them trying to maximize the chance that the companies they fund will succeed.<p>(That said, I submitted a YC application in spite of not being able to move -- but I wasn't really expecting to be accepted, and if I had been accepted, it would have taken sitting down and trying to figure out exactly how YC could help a non-local startup before I would have accepted.)
My first piece of advice would be this: don't bank on YC funding. Sure, it would be great if you got accepted, but that shouldn't stop you from pursuing your idea. Especially if it is still just an idea - work on it at home, in your spare time, and then evaluate your options once you have done everything you possibly can do on your own.<p>If you decide that you need outside funding, and even Mountain View is too far, then your options for YC (or a similar program) become more limited. The next YC round will be in Cambridge, but there is TechStars in Boulder, Colorado which is obviously much closer, but may still be too far. The only other programs I have heard of are in the Philly / DC areas.<p>Like you said though, there are more traditional routes. A Google search for 'arizona angel network' brings up over 2m hits. My point is that, I'm sure there are options, you just need to look for them, and then evaluate.<p>First things first, though: start hacking!
Why do you need seed/angel funding. Why don't you bootstrap it? Work on it in your spare time? And don't give me excuses about a young daughter. I did it with a young son while working full time. It's about desire, not location. Don't buy into the hype.<p>I'm not convinced YC is a good thing. What about the group think problem? Hey everybody let's build sites then [..magic..] profit!<p>If it's a good idea slow and steady will do just fine.
You probably have a day job, right? Put aside a certain amount everymonth and hire people on elance to create your product for you. In a few months it will be done and you can test it on the market. It's risk free, and it's the sensible solution for someone with a wife and children.
Consider the fbFund.<p>I'm happy to chat about it. I've written a little about it too: <a href="http://blog.luckycal.com/?p=11" rel="nofollow">http://blog.luckycal.com/?p=11</a>
You could do cambridge / mountain view for the three months that you're required to be there, then leave - I don't think there's anything in the rules against that.