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Yo its Tim (co-founder @ VEED). It's not really about money for us, but more about the hustle. We think of it more as getting into NBA or Olympic Games or becom

Yo its Tim (co-founder @ VEED). It's not really about money for us, but more about the hustle. We think of it more as getting into NBA or Olympic Games or becoming a Navy Seal. It is tough to get in, tough throughout and will only harden you if you don't break along the way. Just my 2c

puranjay 7y ago
Appreciate the post and kudos on the product - looks great. Just to counter your argument though - getting into the NBA is the only way to be a successful pro basketball player. Getting into Navy Seals is the only way to be an elite special forces soldier (well, that and a bunch of other elite forces). But getting into YC isn't the only way to build a successful company. I understand the appeal - getting into an elite institution can open plenty of doors. But do consider whether that is worth whatever % of your company YC will take.
mscasts 7y ago
Ok, I get the desire, but personally I believe it's a bit fluffy. I'd love to be in your guys position and I have a hard time just understanding why you would want to give away control which is basically freedom, be essentially be cool or be part of an "elite" group? You guys already are cool, you don't need someone else to be it.
- loopla 7y ago
  But are you giving away control by giving YC 7%? YC isn't a traditional investor. You don't need to raise money on demo day and are free to go back to being a small business that puts profit before growth. YC isn't going to send you an angry email or frankly even remember you if you don't stay in touch and continue to do office hours.
  - mscasts 7y ago
    Perhaps not. Maybe the contacts you will recieve and the amount of money is enough to help you bootstrap stuff faster. I have never actually started a company myself, so I wouldn't know. I just think I would be extremely satisfied if I could sustain myself without any investor money. Seems like a better way to grow in my mind, if you're not aiming to be a billion dollar company anytime soon.
guytv 7y ago
Great article, thanks. But - it seems that you guys put more importance on being perceived as successful (= backed by YC), then actually building a profitable business.

puranjay 7y ago

Appreciate the post and kudos on the product - looks great. Just to counter your argument though - getting into the NBA is the only way to be a successful pro basketball player. Getting into Navy Seals is the only way to be an elite special forces soldier (well, that and a bunch of other elite forces). But getting into YC isn't the only way to build a successful company. I understand the appeal - getting into an elite institution can open plenty of doors. But do consider whether that is worth whatever % of your company YC will take.

mscasts 7y ago

Ok, I get the desire, but personally I believe it's a bit fluffy. I'd love to be in your guys position and I have a hard time just understanding why you would want to give away control which is basically freedom, be essentially be cool or be part of an "elite" group? You guys already are cool, you don't need someone else to be it.

loopla 7y ago
But are you giving away control by giving YC 7%? YC isn't a traditional investor. You don't need to raise money on demo day and are free to go back to being a small business that puts profit before growth. YC isn't going to send you an angry email or frankly even remember you if you don't stay in touch and continue to do office hours.
- mscasts 7y ago
  Perhaps not. Maybe the contacts you will recieve and the amount of money is enough to help you bootstrap stuff faster. I have never actually started a company myself, so I wouldn't know. I just think I would be extremely satisfied if I could sustain myself without any investor money. Seems like a better way to grow in my mind, if you're not aiming to be a billion dollar company anytime soon.

guytv 7y ago

Great article, thanks. But - it seems that you guys put more importance on being perceived as successful (= backed by YC), then actually building a profitable business.