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This move seems to indicate that the startups are having issues getting access/undivided attention from the 'senior' partners. It is great that ycombinator has

by indyT 15y ago

This move seems to indicate that the startups are having issues getting access/undivided attention from the 'senior' partners. It is great that ycombinator has become so successful but the value prop of it seems to be diminishing as it grows. If I wanted to collaborate with other founders there are plenty of meetup groups I could attend without giving up a large share of my company.

pg 15y ago
No, this is in addition to office hours with the regular partners. And we can tell if there's any shortage there, from the length of the office hour request queue, which at this moment has only 2 requests in it.
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justin 15y ago
Ouch! ;) I'm probably biased but a big part of the value we've received from YC has been from access to alumni -- for example, when going out for our series A Sam was actually the most helpful out of anyone we spoke to, having just gone through the process himself (and done a killer job!). I think the view we can bring as alumni going through later stage startups is that we have immediate relevant operational experience to earlier stage startups.
- akharris 15y ago
  Totally agree with you, Justin. Garry and Sam were hugely influential for us at really important junctures during YC, and have continued to be helpful afterwards. This is a huge win for YC.
- ericfrenkiel 15y ago
  justin, couldn't agree more; you guys prove how strong the YC family is.
- indyT 15y ago
  that wasn't intended to diminish your personal value or expertise. I think there is a general concern that future YC batches will have less personal involvement from the people that made YC compelling.
  - tomsaffell 15y ago
    As s2009 alumni and current class (s2011) member I don't see any trend to support that concern.
    - rdl 15y ago
      From what I've heard from people in YC, Sam, Garry, and a few other YC alums have been incredibly useful, in addition to the senior YC partners. The only bottleneck has been food distribution at events.
iamwil 15y ago
Re: collaborate with other founder: Not exactly. I'm pretty sure if I wasn't in YC, I wouldn't have been able to get a meeting with Justin, Emmett, Garry, or Sama (JEGS) so easily. In addition, they've seen a lot in the past years, through pivots, raising, building a team, and through their ups and downs. They've been quite forthright in sharing their own experiences, and are valuable in their own ways that pg, harj, and pb would not necessarily be able to impart. As great as the senior partners are, and as much as they have seen, they have limited experience. Having the JEGS for office hours adds additional color and perspective.
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zaidf 15y ago
but the value prop of it seems to be diminishing as it grows Just some of the things that have become better as YC has grown... - guaranteed convertible debt money waiting for you after YC - meetings with the best VCs - tailored advice from (more and more) folks who have done it again and again So even in the worst case scenario where your point re: access turns out true(I do not think it is), there are many, many things about YC's offering which get better for each coming batch.
- indyT 15y ago
  - guaranteed convertible debt money waiting for you after YC - meetings with the best VCs These could easily dry up if the yc batches do not maintain their perceived high quality. I'm not saying it will happen but it must be a concern? - tailored advice from (more and more) folks who have done it again and again This is my point, you can get this advice easily outside of YC.
  - zaidf 15y ago
    This is my point, you can get this advice easily outside of YC. I disagree. There are a lot of experienced people willing to learn about your business and provide you valuable insights but in almost all cases, they have some interest of future gains - such as investing in a future round. When that is not the case, it is still pretty rare to get someone experienced to really get involved in your business and offer non-generic advice over a prolonged period of time.
zaidf 15y ago
but the value prop of it seems to be diminishing as it grows - guaranteed convertible debt - meetings with the best VCs - tailored advice from (more and more) folks who have done it again and again Just some of the things that have become better as YC has grown. So even in the worst case scenario where your point re: access turned out true, there are many, many things about YC's offering which get better for each coming batch.
spydertennis 15y ago
Getting advice from these guys has always been a smart thing to do and YC startups have been doing it for years. This just makes it easier, which is fantastic.

by indyT 15y ago

pg 15y ago

No, this is in addition to office hours with the regular partners. And we can tell if there's any shortage there, from the length of the office hour request queue, which at this moment has only 2 requests in it.

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justin 15y ago

Ouch! ;) I'm probably biased but a big part of the value we've received from YC has been from access to alumni -- for example, when going out for our series A Sam was actually the most helpful out of anyone we spoke to, having just gone through the process himself (and done a killer job!). I think the view we can bring as alumni going through later stage startups is that we have immediate relevant operational experience to earlier stage startups.

akharris 15y ago
Totally agree with you, Justin. Garry and Sam were hugely influential for us at really important junctures during YC, and have continued to be helpful afterwards. This is a huge win for YC.
ericfrenkiel 15y ago
justin, couldn't agree more; you guys prove how strong the YC family is.
indyT 15y ago
that wasn't intended to diminish your personal value or expertise. I think there is a general concern that future YC batches will have less personal involvement from the people that made YC compelling.
- tomsaffell 15y ago
  As s2009 alumni and current class (s2011) member I don't see any trend to support that concern.
  - rdl 15y ago
    From what I've heard from people in YC, Sam, Garry, and a few other YC alums have been incredibly useful, in addition to the senior YC partners. The only bottleneck has been food distribution at events.

iamwil 15y ago

Re: collaborate with other founder: Not exactly. I'm pretty sure if I wasn't in YC, I wouldn't have been able to get a meeting with Justin, Emmett, Garry, or Sama (JEGS) so easily. In addition, they've seen a lot in the past years, through pivots, raising, building a team, and through their ups and downs. They've been quite forthright in sharing their own experiences, and are valuable in their own ways that pg, harj, and pb would not necessarily be able to impart. As great as the senior partners are, and as much as they have seen, they have limited experience. Having the JEGS for office hours adds additional color and perspective.

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zaidf 15y ago

but the value prop of it seems to be diminishing as it grows Just some of the things that have become better as YC has grown... - guaranteed convertible debt money waiting for you after YC - meetings with the best VCs - tailored advice from (more and more) folks who have done it again and again So even in the worst case scenario where your point re: access turns out true(I do not think it is), there are many, many things about YC's offering which get better for each coming batch.

indyT 15y ago
- guaranteed convertible debt money waiting for you after YC - meetings with the best VCs These could easily dry up if the yc batches do not maintain their perceived high quality. I'm not saying it will happen but it must be a concern? - tailored advice from (more and more) folks who have done it again and again This is my point, you can get this advice easily outside of YC.
- zaidf 15y ago
  This is my point, you can get this advice easily outside of YC. I disagree. There are a lot of experienced people willing to learn about your business and provide you valuable insights but in almost all cases, they have some interest of future gains - such as investing in a future round. When that is not the case, it is still pretty rare to get someone experienced to really get involved in your business and offer non-generic advice over a prolonged period of time.

zaidf 15y ago

but the value prop of it seems to be diminishing as it grows - guaranteed convertible debt - meetings with the best VCs - tailored advice from (more and more) folks who have done it again and again Just some of the things that have become better as YC has grown. So even in the worst case scenario where your point re: access turned out true, there are many, many things about YC's offering which get better for each coming batch.

spydertennis 15y ago

Getting advice from these guys has always been a smart thing to do and YC startups have been doing it for years. This just makes it easier, which is fantastic.