Oh, and in my opinion, if you want to be a successful business person, then don't apply the general YC rules to your business. Those rules are generalizations,

Oh, and in my opinion, if you want to be a successful business person, then don't apply the general YC rules to your business. Those rules are generalizations, and partners often make exceptions. Do what's best for your business, and they will see it too. The best way to think of your app is to think honestly and truthfully about your business. If there was no YC and its set of guidelines, would you have considered tossing this person out? How would you have built your app? Think of YC as a co-founder in your business instead of thinking of them as a college you're applying to. They will be impressed by the same things a potential cofounder might be, every company has its unique set of challenges based on which you will be gauged. I am not related to YC in any way, but cannot imagine them looking for the same six things of everyone that walks in. My point is, give your own intelligence credit, and YC partners might recognize it. If they don’t now then there is always the next cycle and you can try again.