5 ms·

I'm in my 40s, trying to apply for YC next year

26 points by botw 11y ago

Is this a good idea? how many YC applicants are over 40?, 30?, 20?

tdylan 11y ago
Median age was 30+ish last class(or a previous one?) IIRC. Doesn't matter either way, if you're good and have a good idea, no harm in applying.
alcima 11y ago
From 2012: http://blog.statwing.com/a-statistical-portrait-of-a-y-combinator-batch/ http://blog.statwing.com/a-statistical-portrait-of-a-y-combi... Not many older than Jack Benny, but you wouldn't have been the only one.
- MattBearman 11y ago
  I love how there's a column in the second graph to represent companies with zero founders
- codeonfire 11y ago
  What does that prove? That there were some token outliers? I want to see the probability of chosen given each age.
arsalanb 11y ago
As 'tdlyan' said, the median age was 30+ in one of the recent batches. I honestly don't think age should define the success of your startup. Also, don't let YC determine the fate of your startup. You are bound to fail or succeed based on your execution skills and hard work, and not whether you get accepted into YC or not. That being said, I wish you all the best! People like you are an inspiration and remind me to always do what you love.
Lordarminius 11y ago
One of the most disturbing biases Ive noticed on the tech scene is ageism. IMO it is far a greater threat to innovation,discovery and advancement than anything else out there except pehaps for sexism and racism. Unfortunately it is widely encouraged.Dont succumb to to its false message. There is no reason why you cannot be innovative at any working age. Many important discoveries have been made by people who have utilized experience and turned it into a force. arsalanb says it best: "... You are bound to fail or succeed based on your execution skills and hard work, and not whether you get accepted into YC or not...." As a 39 yr old on the same track as you I say "Go for it."
as1ndu 11y ago
Go for it!!
pavornyoh 11y ago
Go for it. Age is not a deciding factor if you do your research. As long as what you are doing is good, you should be able to get in if you can make them understand it.
ThomPete 11y ago
average non YC specific age to start a company is late 30s.
panjaro 11y ago
I don't think being in 40s is a problem. But you seem to be doubting yourself and even your idea. That is a HUGE problem !
warewolf 11y ago
Do you know why you want to apply to YC, because they're successful. You know why they're successful, because they pick "People" not what you look like, how old you are or where you come from. They pick you because you're a leader, talented, innovative, scrappy and passionate. So don't let your age hinder you from your dreams. "If you're scared, go to church" - Ice Cube
MalcolmDiggs 11y ago
The number doesn't matter, but your lifestyle and risk-tolerance does. If you're 40 with a high standard of living, and mouths to feed, and a mortgage and car payment etc, then startup life might be rough on you, and outside of your risk profile. But if you're prepared to live the lifestyle of any other startup founder (at least during the first few months), and assume the same risks as everyone else, then I don't see why age would be a disadvantage at all.
- tptacek 11y ago
  If you're 40 with a high standard of living and mouths to feed, you've probably learned what your tolerances are, and don't need people on message boards to tell you. Of course, that's obvious, and so perhaps people should be careful about subtly reinforcing the message that startups are for 20-somethings.
  - MalcolmDiggs 11y ago
    > If you're 40 with a high standard of living and mouths to feed, you've probably learned what your tolerances are, and don't need people on message boards to tell you. Of course, that's obvious, and so perhaps people should be careful about subtly reinforcing the message that startups are for 20-somethings. Overall risk tolerance is statistically associated with age. If that's not something you believe, then we're not going to see eye to eye. But in my opinion, if the OP asks if something "is a good idea" in respect to age, and there's a relevant age-correlated reason why it might not be a good idea, then I'm perfectly on-topic for bringing it up. While someone may understand their own risk tolerance, they don't necessarily understand the riskiness of the situation they are jumping into...which might be why they asked the question in the first place. So again, there's no reason I can't mention it. And your premise that my comment is so "obvious" that it shouldn't be permitted to be spoken, is simply ridiculous. It sounds like I hit your trigger phrase, and your response is likely far more about you, then about me. And I'll reinforce any message I please, thank you very much. I don't need "people on message boards" dictating what opinions I am or am not allowed to hold.
    - 11y ago
osullivj 11y ago
I'm in my 40s too, and I'm not going for incubators or accelerators. I can't afford to as I burned all my saved capital last year, taking 6 months away from contracting to build my product. I've got a mortgage to pay and a family to support, so I've got to work a day job while bootstrapping in the evenings and weekends. If you can afford to not have a day job for the three (?) months of the YC program, then more power to you. I'm sure you'll benefit from their network and expertise.
Mz 11y ago
Don't say no for them. If you want it and you think it makes sense for you, then apply. They are perfectly capable of saying no for themselves.
avifreedman 11y ago
Worst case it helps you focus on what/why and explaining your startup. Best case you get in. Worst case just continue. In fact, if you wouldn't start the company without getting into YC, you probably should re-think whether you're serious enough about it.
umen 11y ago
This is related https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/3md5yd/for_those_that_are_in_their_40s_and_wondering_if/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/3md5yd/for_th...
biomed_viz 11y ago
Sure, go ahead and apply, there's nothing to lose, it doesn't cost anything but time to fill out the application. Pourquoi, pas? We're in 40s and applied and we've already worked with a startups and know what to expect. For me, I'm old school and know how to get shit done. So my with experience and creativity, I can outwork and outsmart any youngster from SV. Whether YC application succeeds or not doesn't matter, we will continue with our App.

26 points by botw 11y ago

Is this a good idea? how many YC applicants are over 40?, 30?, 20?

Median age was 30+ish last class(or a previous one?) IIRC. Doesn't matter either way, if you're good and have a good idea, no harm in applying.

alcima 11y ago

From 2012: http://blog.statwing.com/a-statistical-portrait-of-a-y-combinator-batch/ http://blog.statwing.com/a-statistical-portrait-of-a-y-combi... Not many older than Jack Benny, but you wouldn't have been the only one.

MattBearman 11y ago
I love how there's a column in the second graph to represent companies with zero founders
codeonfire 11y ago
What does that prove? That there were some token outliers? I want to see the probability of chosen given each age.

arsalanb 11y ago

As 'tdlyan' said, the median age was 30+ in one of the recent batches. I honestly don't think age should define the success of your startup. Also, don't let YC determine the fate of your startup. You are bound to fail or succeed based on your execution skills and hard work, and not whether you get accepted into YC or not. That being said, I wish you all the best! People like you are an inspiration and remind me to always do what you love.

Lordarminius 11y ago

One of the most disturbing biases Ive noticed on the tech scene is ageism. IMO it is far a greater threat to innovation,discovery and advancement than anything else out there except pehaps for sexism and racism. Unfortunately it is widely encouraged.Dont succumb to to its false message. There is no reason why you cannot be innovative at any working age. Many important discoveries have been made by people who have utilized experience and turned it into a force. arsalanb says it best: "... You are bound to fail or succeed based on your execution skills and hard work, and not whether you get accepted into YC or not...." As a 39 yr old on the same track as you I say "Go for it."

as1ndu 11y ago

Go for it!!

pavornyoh 11y ago

Go for it. Age is not a deciding factor if you do your research. As long as what you are doing is good, you should be able to get in if you can make them understand it.

ThomPete 11y ago

average non YC specific age to start a company is late 30s.

panjaro 11y ago

I don't think being in 40s is a problem. But you seem to be doubting yourself and even your idea. That is a HUGE problem !

warewolf 11y ago

Do you know why you want to apply to YC, because they're successful. You know why they're successful, because they pick "People" not what you look like, how old you are or where you come from. They pick you because you're a leader, talented, innovative, scrappy and passionate. So don't let your age hinder you from your dreams. "If you're scared, go to church" - Ice Cube

MalcolmDiggs 11y ago

The number doesn't matter, but your lifestyle and risk-tolerance does. If you're 40 with a high standard of living, and mouths to feed, and a mortgage and car payment etc, then startup life might be rough on you, and outside of your risk profile. But if you're prepared to live the lifestyle of any other startup founder (at least during the first few months), and assume the same risks as everyone else, then I don't see why age would be a disadvantage at all.

tptacek 11y ago
If you're 40 with a high standard of living and mouths to feed, you've probably learned what your tolerances are, and don't need people on message boards to tell you. Of course, that's obvious, and so perhaps people should be careful about subtly reinforcing the message that startups are for 20-somethings.
- MalcolmDiggs 11y ago
  > If you're 40 with a high standard of living and mouths to feed, you've probably learned what your tolerances are, and don't need people on message boards to tell you. Of course, that's obvious, and so perhaps people should be careful about subtly reinforcing the message that startups are for 20-somethings. Overall risk tolerance is statistically associated with age. If that's not something you believe, then we're not going to see eye to eye. But in my opinion, if the OP asks if something "is a good idea" in respect to age, and there's a relevant age-correlated reason why it might not be a good idea, then I'm perfectly on-topic for bringing it up. While someone may understand their own risk tolerance, they don't necessarily understand the riskiness of the situation they are jumping into...which might be why they asked the question in the first place. So again, there's no reason I can't mention it. And your premise that my comment is so "obvious" that it shouldn't be permitted to be spoken, is simply ridiculous. It sounds like I hit your trigger phrase, and your response is likely far more about you, then about me. And I'll reinforce any message I please, thank you very much. I don't need "people on message boards" dictating what opinions I am or am not allowed to hold.
  - 11y ago

osullivj 11y ago

I'm in my 40s too, and I'm not going for incubators or accelerators. I can't afford to as I burned all my saved capital last year, taking 6 months away from contracting to build my product. I've got a mortgage to pay and a family to support, so I've got to work a day job while bootstrapping in the evenings and weekends. If you can afford to not have a day job for the three (?) months of the YC program, then more power to you. I'm sure you'll benefit from their network and expertise.

Mz 11y ago

Don't say no for them. If you want it and you think it makes sense for you, then apply. They are perfectly capable of saying no for themselves.

avifreedman 11y ago

Worst case it helps you focus on what/why and explaining your startup. Best case you get in. Worst case just continue. In fact, if you wouldn't start the company without getting into YC, you probably should re-think whether you're serious enough about it.

umen 11y ago

This is related https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/3md5yd/for_those_that_are_in_their_40s_and_wondering_if/ https://www.reddit.com/r/Entrepreneur/comments/3md5yd/for_th...

biomed_viz 11y ago

Sure, go ahead and apply, there's nothing to lose, it doesn't cost anything but time to fill out the application. Pourquoi, pas? We're in 40s and applied and we've already worked with a startups and know what to expect. For me, I'm old school and know how to get shit done. So my with experience and creativity, I can outwork and outsmart any youngster from SV. Whether YC application succeeds or not doesn't matter, we will continue with our App.