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Ask HN: Idea guy put me on his incubator application without my consent
Throwaway account here.
About a week ago this idea guy, let's call him John, asked me to work as the developer for this startup him and another guy in another province is working on. I was already working on my own startup so I told him I was unable to work for his startup at that point.
I've never worked with John before and we've only met a few times. There were never any agreements between the two of us to start any sort of Venture or anything.
So last night John messages me on Skype. John said he applied for this incubator(not YC, but I won't name it). I congratulated him and wish him good luck.
So the conversation went on a bit as we talk about this incubator. Then all of a sudden John said:
"I put u on the application just to let u know, we could get a huge investment!"
I was shocked felt pretty pissed off for what he did. I myself had plans for my own startup to apply to this incubator, but John have put my name on his application without my consent to give him creditability. I told John I was not impressed with what he done and he can't just put me down on his applications without my consent.
At this point, I thought about e-mailing the incubator and tell them that I'm not apart of this application they just received, but I am not sure how I would come off and what they'll think when I put in my own application. I don't want to make myself look bad so I loose my chance of getting into this incubator as well.
Dear HN, please give me some advise on what I should do. Thanks.
- nalidixic 15y agoI'd just ask the incubator to remove you from the application.
- PythonDeveloper 15y agoAgreed. This will likely blacklist him from the incubator, but it may also blacklist you. You might want to call and talk to them and let them know exactly what happened.
- mrb 15y agoContact the incubator, tell them this: "I was told my name was put on an application. If this is the case, this is a misunderstanding. I, in fact, intend to apply in the near future for a different startup. Please remove me from the current application." This makes explains the situation truthfully, while avoiding describing the drama between you and John.
- iwasapplied 15y agoWouldn't that make me look bad when I submit a new application? They could think that I ditched their company for my own company or something.
- jyu 15y agoI think you're overestimating how much they care. Being busy and looking at a ton of applications, they will probably just accept your email at face value, remove your name from the app, and move on to the next.
- mrb 15y agoIf you report it as soon as possible, I am sure it will be fine. You will be correcting a situation before they even have time to start evaluating John's application... Also, announcing that you already have plans to submit your own application will make them realize you are not hiding any of your intentions.
- kls 15y agoI would be worried about the same perception, it sucks but people do wonder when shadiness is unearthed, they naturally wonder what the other side of the story is. Personally I would probably not bring the issue to a head unless I was specifically questioned on it. I would save the Skype chat as a log of what transpired. Chances are the fact that you are on two applications will not be correlated, if it is I personally would give you a chance to explain the situation. There are a lot of us with multiple irons in the fire, that is most likely the perception they would have, there is nothing wrong with chasing two ideas, so long as you are willing to drop one to pursue the one that hits. So given that I don't think that even if it was correlated that it would immediately disqualify you from getting a call.
- andrewhillman 15y agoI would first ask to see the application "John" submitted. Then contact the incubator to explain.
- iwasapplied 15y agoI asked John to show me a copy of the application, and he said he filled it out on the web page and didn't save a copy.
- andrewhillman 15y agoThat blows. I'd like to hear how this turns out and how you handle it. Please update when you can. Good luck.
- relaunched 15y agoI'm not certain it really matters. Do to the high volume, as others have mentioned, people remember ideas / traction, instead of names. If you submit and someone else submitted, and both of your applications pique interested and get a follow-up, then pursue your application. Most incubators meet the team before selection. At that point, if both apps make it that far, the truth will come out. At that point, they'll have to explain why you aren't with their team and the truth will come out.
- dirkdeman 15y agoI understand it's not the best foundation for healthy co-foundership, but it presents an opportunity too. You'll be exposed to a very valuable network, funding and loads of likeminded people. You have to decide if you want to put up with John for the next couple of months/year and maybe building your own idea after, using your new network.
- nurik 15y agoI would not do anything. Just wait and see whether this guy gets accepted for an interview...if yes tell them you have been asked to join and did yet not confirm your participation and if not you are free to do whatever you want. Since you have been listed as a developer you can easily apply again with another idea.