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What’s the acceptance rate, 1%, most with cofounders? So if you’re making a video by yourself it’s like 1/500 ? Seems like a better use of time making a video

What’s the acceptance rate, 1%, most with cofounders? So if you’re making a video by yourself it’s like 1/500 ? Seems like a better use of time making a video and filling out the app once you have above average team and traction.

dang 3y ago
You don't need traction. Team is good because having a cofounder is statistically such a huge success factor. But YC does found solo founders, and you shouldn't make a team just to make your application look better - I'm pretty sure doing that would weaken your chances.
- tempusalaria 3y ago
  I was under the impression that this idea of cofounders being a huge statistical success factor was pretty much just a myth. Moreover, all reasons given by YC as to why you should have a cofounder are qualitative e.g. https://www.ycombinator.com/library/8h-how-to-find-the-right-co-founder#:~:text=So%20let's%20start%20by%20talking,divide%20the%20work%20up%20with https://www.ycombinator.com/library/8h-how-to-find-the-right.... Would love to see the statistical evidence because if anything it seems to be the other way round and this is pretty much just reflective of YC’s personal preference as it were (and many VCs prefer otherwise). Personally I would only advise someone to take on a cofounder if they already know them well and need their skill set. There is so much risk in a poor fit that it far outweighs any theoretical benefit.
  - dang 3y ago
    I don't have citations for you but I don't think it's anything like a "personal preference" - YC has tons of data on this. But it's fine to apply as a solo founder—many do get funded; and you're quite right—the risk of picking a wrong cofounder is also high and is not something one should do lightly (e.g. just to try to improve a YC application).
    - tempusalaria 3y ago
      The thing is, YC heavily signals against solo founders. So it seems like there could be a lot of adverse selection in your data where good solo founders don’t bother applying, or good solo founders take on value destructive cofounders just to satisfy YC. That’s then a vicious cycle where YC sees increasingly lower quality solo founders which reinforces their opinions and data about solo founder outcomes.

dang 3y ago

You don't need traction. Team is good because having a cofounder is statistically such a huge success factor. But YC does found solo founders, and you shouldn't make a team just to make your application look better - I'm pretty sure doing that would weaken your chances.

tempusalaria 3y ago
I was under the impression that this idea of cofounders being a huge statistical success factor was pretty much just a myth. Moreover, all reasons given by YC as to why you should have a cofounder are qualitative e.g. https://www.ycombinator.com/library/8h-how-to-find-the-right-co-founder#:~:text=So%20let's%20start%20by%20talking,divide%20the%20work%20up%20with https://www.ycombinator.com/library/8h-how-to-find-the-right.... Would love to see the statistical evidence because if anything it seems to be the other way round and this is pretty much just reflective of YC’s personal preference as it were (and many VCs prefer otherwise). Personally I would only advise someone to take on a cofounder if they already know them well and need their skill set. There is so much risk in a poor fit that it far outweighs any theoretical benefit.
- dang 3y ago
  I don't have citations for you but I don't think it's anything like a "personal preference" - YC has tons of data on this. But it's fine to apply as a solo founder—many do get funded; and you're quite right—the risk of picking a wrong cofounder is also high and is not something one should do lightly (e.g. just to try to improve a YC application).
  - tempusalaria 3y ago
    The thing is, YC heavily signals against solo founders. So it seems like there could be a lot of adverse selection in your data where good solo founders don’t bother applying, or good solo founders take on value destructive cofounders just to satisfy YC. That’s then a vicious cycle where YC sees increasingly lower quality solo founders which reinforces their opinions and data about solo founder outcomes.