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Ask HN: Should we apply to YC if they backed a competitor?
Hi guys,
We are wondering if we should apply to the next funding cycle because YC backed a competitor.
We have a different approach, go-to-market strategy and technology. So, if you look at the projects, we are really different while solving the same pain.
Just wondering/asking to not build up our hopes while waiting for an answer... we will apply anyway :)
- Skywing 16y agoPG states that they will fund multiple startups in the same market. I believe it may be on the FAQ, or How to apply successfully. If I were you, I'd definitely apply. If you don't, then you've guaranteed yourself no funding or YC experience.
- christophe971 16y agoSince they invest mostly in people, and then their projects, you should apply.
- bobf 16y agoThere is virtually no reason not to apply, aside from the time-cost of filling out the application and recording a video. Go for it!
- ig1 16y agoYC has funded competitors before, most notably Etacts vs Rapportive, but also Adioso vs Hipmunk.
- dmarinoc 16y agoI found investments in the same space but not direct competitors Thanks!
- mindcrime 16y agohttp://ycombinator.com/faq.html http://ycombinator.com/faq.html Will you fund multiple startups working on the same idea? Yes. If you fund as many companies as we do it's unavoidable you'll end up with some overlap. Even if you tried not to accept competing companies, you'd still get overlap because startups' ideas morph so much. The way we deal with it is that when two startups are working on related stuff, we don't talk to one about what the other's doing. In practice it has not turned out to be a problem, because most big markets have room for several slightly different solutions, and it's unlikely that two startups would do precisely the same thing.
- Fenn 16y agoThis absolutely happens, sometimes even in the same round - for example, in YC W09 there were two photo sharing services: Divvyshot and Picurio.
- dmoney 16y agoHow'd that work out? (I know in the end Divvyshot got acquired by Facebook. Before that though.)