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I have only one question: how to get an invitation to the interview if you are single founder (like Dropbox)? Looks like "single founder problem" is a flaw in Y

I have only one question: how to get an invitation to the interview if you are single founder (like Dropbox)? Looks like "single founder problem" is a flaw in YC's business model, because your biggest hits (Dropbox, Greplin) all came from initially single founders. Well, I know that the odds aren't good for single founders...But the problem here in Russia (where I'am from) is that it's virtually impossible to find an entrepreneurial-minded hacker who's ready to put efforts and passion into a such risky thing as startup. We don't have such startups culture you have in US. It's very tempting for smart ppl here to just get a day job with a nice salary and relax. Or they already have girlfriend/family and thus will not move anywhere. But I'm pretty sure I'll find a co-founder when I'm in the Bay area. But looks like it's chicken-and-egg problem. Actually I think the problem with single founders is exaggerated a bit. If it's all about people then great ppl eventually will find a great co-founder if you give'em a chance.

nitrogen 16y ago
I'm glad we exchanged e-mails, and good luck with your startup!
- bloodcarter 16y ago
  Thanks, Mike! Good luck you too!
pg 16y ago
Actually Greplin had 2 founders initially. And though Drew was a single founder when he applied, he had found a cofounder by the time the YC cycle started. The trouble with the plan of finding a cofounder when you get to the Bay Area is that you'll then have a cofounder you've only just met. Empirically that doesn't work well. Cofounders should have known one another for a while. You must have friends of friends who'd start a startup with you.
- bloodcarter 16y ago
  Actually I had 2 co-founders. The trouble was that we eventually run out of money and they quit. I stayed. But I was forced to start a construction company in order to make some money and I grew it from $0 to 500k in sales. But damn it! I'm a programmer! I want to write a software. I really think that if you're seeking for exceptional people than you should give a chance for exceptional single founders too under some conditions, of course.
  - pg 16y ago
    We do accept exceptional single founders. We've funded several of them. If you're so determined that you started a successful construction company, you could be one.
    - bloodcarter 16y ago
      Yes, it's successful and I also managed to negotiate a partnership with IKEA. A unique experience! I did all that just to be able one day to return to my startup. We've been featured on ReadWriteWeb and 400+ ppl have subscribed for our beta, but this achievement was not helpful when my co-founders decided to quit...Looking back I can say that although I learned a lot running construction business, that was a mistake. And I want to fix it now. I would be happy if YC will review my application having in mind who is the person behind it.
      - pclark 16y ago
        You ran a construction company and grew it to $500k in revenue? Dude, I hope you literally spelt that out repeatedly in your YC application. :)
        bloodcarter 16y ago
        Yes, I hacked supply chain and wrote several pieces of software, and now our profit margin is around 40% of total project estimate. While it's still below the market for the customers.
    - 16y ago
jpug98 16y ago
email me - jpug98@gmail.com. i'm looking for a start up business partner with serious programming experience. I too started and ran a successful construction company as a means to make money in order to start another business. I also do not have a partner, because it's hard to find someone that understands starting your own business is work.
saifa 16y ago
Great to see some one from Russia dude! Privet! Best regards. I hope Yuri Milner presense in YC will give more chanches for russian talents to make a big jump!
- bloodcarter 16y ago
  Are you from Russia as well? Nice too meet you! I think that the fact that Milner is now working with YC will have a little or zero effect on Russian startup ecosystem. Money love silence. What would help Russian startup ecosystem to grow is a couple of successful rockstar startups. I was shocked when I told about Milner and YC deal to a local VC and she didn't know that. They are years behind US VCs.
  - saifa 16y ago
    Novosibirsk is city of smart people. Best regards! I'm agree about Russia ecosystem. You are right! Milner is a hero for me, really! He does business in both ends: russian and western internet. I used to try to do some projects in russian internet. 2 years ago built http://www.moivizitki.ru http://www.moivizitki.ru (social business networking), a big Moscow based web company wanted to buy it (mostly hire us), but i decided to spend my life to build own startup (you can find job any way if needed). Built several e-com affiliate projects for english speaking world. Now my friend and i apply to YC. I wonder if any person from post Soviet Union was excepted to YC (I don't say even a team, at list person :).
deleted 16y ago
[deleted]

nitrogen 16y ago

I'm glad we exchanged e-mails, and good luck with your startup!

bloodcarter 16y ago
Thanks, Mike! Good luck you too!

pg 16y ago

Actually Greplin had 2 founders initially. And though Drew was a single founder when he applied, he had found a cofounder by the time the YC cycle started. The trouble with the plan of finding a cofounder when you get to the Bay Area is that you'll then have a cofounder you've only just met. Empirically that doesn't work well. Cofounders should have known one another for a while. You must have friends of friends who'd start a startup with you.

bloodcarter 16y ago
Actually I had 2 co-founders. The trouble was that we eventually run out of money and they quit. I stayed. But I was forced to start a construction company in order to make some money and I grew it from $0 to 500k in sales. But damn it! I'm a programmer! I want to write a software. I really think that if you're seeking for exceptional people than you should give a chance for exceptional single founders too under some conditions, of course.
- pg 16y ago
  We do accept exceptional single founders. We've funded several of them. If you're so determined that you started a successful construction company, you could be one.
  - bloodcarter 16y ago
    Yes, it's successful and I also managed to negotiate a partnership with IKEA. A unique experience! I did all that just to be able one day to return to my startup. We've been featured on ReadWriteWeb and 400+ ppl have subscribed for our beta, but this achievement was not helpful when my co-founders decided to quit...Looking back I can say that although I learned a lot running construction business, that was a mistake. And I want to fix it now. I would be happy if YC will review my application having in mind who is the person behind it.
    - pclark 16y ago
      You ran a construction company and grew it to $500k in revenue? Dude, I hope you literally spelt that out repeatedly in your YC application. :)
      - bloodcarter 16y ago
        Yes, I hacked supply chain and wrote several pieces of software, and now our profit margin is around 40% of total project estimate. While it's still below the market for the customers.
  - 16y ago

jpug98 16y ago

email me - jpug98@gmail.com. i'm looking for a start up business partner with serious programming experience. I too started and ran a successful construction company as a means to make money in order to start another business. I also do not have a partner, because it's hard to find someone that understands starting your own business is work.

saifa 16y ago

Great to see some one from Russia dude! Privet! Best regards. I hope Yuri Milner presense in YC will give more chanches for russian talents to make a big jump!

bloodcarter 16y ago
Are you from Russia as well? Nice too meet you! I think that the fact that Milner is now working with YC will have a little or zero effect on Russian startup ecosystem. Money love silence. What would help Russian startup ecosystem to grow is a couple of successful rockstar startups. I was shocked when I told about Milner and YC deal to a local VC and she didn't know that. They are years behind US VCs.
- saifa 16y ago
  Novosibirsk is city of smart people. Best regards! I'm agree about Russia ecosystem. You are right! Milner is a hero for me, really! He does business in both ends: russian and western internet. I used to try to do some projects in russian internet. 2 years ago built http://www.moivizitki.ru http://www.moivizitki.ru (social business networking), a big Moscow based web company wanted to buy it (mostly hire us), but i decided to spend my life to build own startup (you can find job any way if needed). Built several e-com affiliate projects for english speaking world. Now my friend and i apply to YC. I wonder if any person from post Soviet Union was excepted to YC (I don't say even a team, at list person :).

deleted 16y ago

[deleted]