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500 Startups is now accepting applications on AngelList
- kurtvarner 14y agoHere are a couple sources that explain why Dave McClure felt that an application was necessary and how they will be handling the process through AngelList. TNW: http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/09/13/500-startups-breaks-referral-only-mantra-partnering-angellist-accept-applications/ http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/09/13/500-startups-breaks... TechCrunch: http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/13/500-startups-angellist/ http://techcrunch.com/2012/09/13/500-startups-angellist/
- dbul 14y agoWhy is your team bad ass? This is my kind of application. This is similar to TechStars's application question "Why should we accept you?" which is great since you can candidly answer why you are a good investment.
- salimmadjd 14y agoThis is a great move for founders as I wrote here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4517593 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4517593
- blaines 14y agoFYI: The "Apply" button isn't initially obvious. It's the blue button on the top right inside the gray banner with 13px font that says "Now accepting applications for Batch 5".
- salimmadjd 14y agoI agree! I had the same problem too.
- davemc500hats 14y agoyeah, sorry about that... we'll let the folks at AngelList know. agreed it's kind of non-obvious.
- matthuggins 14y agoQuestion that may seem obvious (sorry if it is). Is this intended for existing startups that have already gotten their feet wet, or is it intended for people with ideas & elevator pitches?
- ncasenmare 14y agoDon't worry, I had the same question. From what I can tell, 500 Startups prefers if you've already been incorporated, (unlike YC) but I'd be surprised if they won't help you incorporate if they like you.
- scottallison 14y ago500 has always been about startups with some degree of traction. Out of our batch, all bar 2 had a product, and over half had revenue already.
- davemc500hats 14y agowe usually prefer you have: 1) a functional prototype 1.1) or you've built products w/ previous traction 2) a team which includes one engineer at a minimum 2.1) ideally + designer + cust acquisition), and 3) some # of users (not your mom or your friends) 3.1) ideally some revenue too 4) have a business model / revenue model 4.1) or, shitloads of traction if not 5) some moxie.
- littlegiantcap 14y agoDave, For the video will a product (explainer) video suffice?
- davemc500hats 14y agosure that's fine. altho we'd like to learn more about you too :)
- littlegiantcap 14y agoWell, we'd shoot a team video, but we're in the process of relocating our startup so we're a little disparate. I guess you'll just have to interview us :)
- trifu 14y agoDoes anyone know the success rate of sole founders making it into these Accelerator programs vs a team of founders?
- MatthewB 14y agoI was in the previous batch @ 500startups and I don't think any of the ~28 companies had a solo founder. Doesn't really answer your question but just an FYI.
- scottallison 14y agoActually I'm fairly sure there were 2 teams with single founders at the time of application. All had a team though, that's the most important thing.
- jkaljundi 14y agoThomas Korte from Angelpad has said he's accepting solo founders.
- davemc500hats 14y agowe prefer teams, but we do accept solo founders occasionally... if yer friggin' awesome.