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They generally give feedback on your application. There is likely something with your traction or potential market more than your age. I do agree with you there

by jimhi 5y ago

They generally give feedback on your application. There is likely something with your traction or potential market more than your age. I do agree with you there are some elements that make it harder as you get older. That said: https://techcrunch.com/2009/09/07/when-it-comes-to-founding-successful-startups-old-guys-rule/ https://techcrunch.com/2009/09/07/when-it-comes-to-founding-... The average age of startup founders is older than the press makes it seem. I talk to people in each new batch of Y Combinator. The general consensus is that the average age of the founders seems like it is increasing as they fund harder and harder tech projects. I coincidentally recommended a 58 year old founder about 18 months ago and they were interviewed.

the-dude 5y ago
> They generally give feedback on your application. AFAIK this is absolutely not true.
- jimhi 5y ago
  That’s a shame. I know several founders who email specific partners who have in experience in their industry and they seem to get more personalized rejections
  - the-dude 5y ago
    Regular applicants definetly don't get this. YC says as much in the rejection email. I guess it is all really easy when you are already connected.
    - jimhi 5y ago
      Nobody was connected when they started, not myself either. They got their partner contact publicly or from public events they hold
      - the-dude 5y ago
        Did they participate in the Startup School or other programs?
        jimhi 5y ago
        For me and others who got in before that existed no. For those after, yes. After this discussion, I think going to the inperson events gives you a bit of an unfair advantage to really explain what you have made.
over50 5y ago
> They generally give feedback on your application That has not been my experience. I can't find the email right now. If I remember correctly it had some boilerplate about to the effect that they can't give feedback on every application and not to feel bad because sometimes they have to make hard choices and it doesn't mean your startup idea is necessarily a bad one. I understand all of that. No issues at all.

by jimhi 5y ago

the-dude 5y ago

> They generally give feedback on your application. AFAIK this is absolutely not true.

jimhi 5y ago
That’s a shame. I know several founders who email specific partners who have in experience in their industry and they seem to get more personalized rejections
- the-dude 5y ago
  Regular applicants definetly don't get this. YC says as much in the rejection email. I guess it is all really easy when you are already connected.
  - jimhi 5y ago
    Nobody was connected when they started, not myself either. They got their partner contact publicly or from public events they hold
    - the-dude 5y ago
      Did they participate in the Startup School or other programs?
      - jimhi 5y ago
        For me and others who got in before that existed no. For those after, yes. After this discussion, I think going to the inperson events gives you a bit of an unfair advantage to really explain what you have made.

over50 5y ago

> They generally give feedback on your application That has not been my experience. I can't find the email right now. If I remember correctly it had some boilerplate about to the effect that they can't give feedback on every application and not to feel bad because sometimes they have to make hard choices and it doesn't mean your startup idea is necessarily a bad one. I understand all of that. No issues at all.