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Hey Sam: So I've been working diligently for the last few weeks putting the final edits on my application to YC. I'm 68 years old an the only founder. On the p

by cybin 11y ago

Hey Sam: So I've been working diligently for the last few weeks putting the final edits on my application to YC. I'm 68 years old an the only founder. On the positive side I've got almost 50 years of work in the project that defines the state of the art. Am I wasting my time in applying considering my age and singleness?

lbotos 11y ago
Holy wow! I'm not Sam but kudos, keep at it no matter what. Inspired right now.
- cybin 11y ago
  Thanks! That's a very nice thing to say.
d_luaz 11y ago
Doesn't hurt if it takes you less than a day to apply :)
TimPrice 11y ago
If you can afford it, keep going at it!
marincounty 11y ago
I don't think this question will be honestly answered. Maybe we should ask is there over three successful applicants that were over 50? It's not an unfair question.
- tim333 11y ago
  I'm not sure if there are solo founders over 50 who were at YC but some individuals who are cofounders are. Dr John Slough of Helion for example. I've got similar issues myself. Perhaps cofounders are the answer. Maybe we can take inspiration from Rose Blumkin, founder of the Nebraska Furniture Mart who sold the store to Warren Buffett and then after arguments with her family left in a huff and set up a rival called Mrs. B's Clearance and Factory Outlet across the street at age 95. It became profitable and was Omaha's third-largest carpet outlet before Buffett bought that too.
JabavuAdams 11y ago
You haven't let anything stop you yet, so why would a negative answer from Sam stop you? With that in mind, what's the point of asking the question? There's nothing to be gained by asking, and potentially something to be lost (displaying lack of confidence). For my part, I've had "entrepreneurial spasms" as a solo founder and it's been a terrible idea for me. This is because I'm a terrible procrastinator. I need a schedule-oriented person to keep me in check / act as the rudder to my "powerful engine".
cybin 11y ago
I can see from the comments that feedback is beneficial -- almost like having a co-founder:) I'm not much on the social network scene, maybe I should give it a try.

by cybin 11y ago

lbotos 11y ago

Holy wow! I'm not Sam but kudos, keep at it no matter what. Inspired right now.

cybin 11y ago
Thanks! That's a very nice thing to say.

d_luaz 11y ago

Doesn't hurt if it takes you less than a day to apply :)

TimPrice 11y ago

If you can afford it, keep going at it!

marincounty 11y ago

I don't think this question will be honestly answered. Maybe we should ask is there over three successful applicants that were over 50? It's not an unfair question.

tim333 11y ago
I'm not sure if there are solo founders over 50 who were at YC but some individuals who are cofounders are. Dr John Slough of Helion for example. I've got similar issues myself. Perhaps cofounders are the answer. Maybe we can take inspiration from Rose Blumkin, founder of the Nebraska Furniture Mart who sold the store to Warren Buffett and then after arguments with her family left in a huff and set up a rival called Mrs. B's Clearance and Factory Outlet across the street at age 95. It became profitable and was Omaha's third-largest carpet outlet before Buffett bought that too.

JabavuAdams 11y ago

You haven't let anything stop you yet, so why would a negative answer from Sam stop you? With that in mind, what's the point of asking the question? There's nothing to be gained by asking, and potentially something to be lost (displaying lack of confidence). For my part, I've had "entrepreneurial spasms" as a solo founder and it's been a terrible idea for me. This is because I'm a terrible procrastinator. I need a schedule-oriented person to keep me in check / act as the rudder to my "powerful engine".

cybin 11y ago

I can see from the comments that feedback is beneficial -- almost like having a co-founder:) I'm not much on the social network scene, maybe I should give it a try.