3 ms·
Why Does Y Combinator Require a Video in Your Application?
Because every time I've applied, this has drastically slowed down my application. I mean, I'm just not great with a camera or microphone, and arguably don't have good stage presence in general.
As a result, I always struggle when it gets to this point:
> Please enter the url of a 1 minute unlisted (not private) YouTube video introducing the founders
Since well, I just don't think I can make a good video.
So why is needed? Why does YCombinator need a founder video in the application?
Because it seems like it's becoming a trend with startup accelerators and jobs now. Every single one seems to asks for a video of the applicant, their product or both.
And I suspect it's hurting people from poorer backgrounds (who simply can't afford the equipment for a good video presentation) or who are naturally not extroverts (and hence break down in front of a camera).
What's the reasoning here?
- sulam 10y agoFirst of all, don't use introversion as a crutch. It may be net-negative energy for you to perform in situations that extroverts find energizing, but this doesn't keep you from doing them. You just need to recharge afterwards. I think the reasoning is that as a founder you are, like it or not, constantly having to sell your idea, company, and personal involvement. You have to sell to investors, to potential employees and of course to customers. You even have to sell to vendors, since you want to use their services as cheaply as possible. If you can't do that, you need to find a co-founder who can. Otherwise you can go and do a startup by pure bootstrapping, but don't expect to get sympathy because you can't sell when investors need selling just like anyone else. I can't play basketball because I don't have the physical attributes necessary for the sport, oh well. Life doesn't owe me that opportunity and you're not owed an investment.
- PaulHoule 10y agoSome people who act or otherwise perform are basically introverted but do o.k. on stage or in front of the camera. A one minute video is not very long. A good formula could be to have somebody interview you or have an informal (scripted or not) conversation with somebody about your company. If you need a good camera at a low price, try https://www.amazon.com/Sony-PlayStation-Camera-Bulk-Packaging-Pc/dp/B0072I2240 https://www.amazon.com/Sony-PlayStation-Camera-Bulk-Packagin... The PS3 Eye plugs into a regular computer, you might need to pay another $5 for drivers. It has a built in microphone and overall the quality is close to an $80 Logitech camera.
- davelnewton 10y agoTo get more data.
- miiiiiike 10y agoThe sad truth is if you don't have presence or aren't perceived as "likable" it's impossibly hard to get people to work with you. The video is a way of testing for presence. Personally, I've never care at all if people knew me or my name. Still don't. I didn't work on building a following for a blog, comment in places like HN, speak at conferences, or practice being on mic/in front of a camera. It's hobbled me. I've watched people who with a "following" attract a good sized group of volunteers to build their projects for them while I've struggled to ship code by myself. In terms of effort we're talking about having to work 4-6 hours/day vs having to wokr 12-16 hours/day. People don't scale but their "public personas" can. If you have presence people will see you in a video or hear you on a podcast and come running to you. Crowdfunders, investors, partners, potential employees. Your life gets easier. Potential investors aren't your friends or a charity, they're trying to protect themselves from bad investments. If things are easier for you because you've practiced and can demonstrate presence, you're an easier sell to an investor. I'm an introvert who grew up poor, so I get where you're coming from. You options are: 1) Find people to handle messaging for you.. Which is dangerous because if you're unable to project an image of yourself or your company you may lose control over the way it and you are perceived. 2) Practice. You can do a lot with the camera/mic on an iPhone 5+ given the right lighting.