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I am working on an edtech startup for PK-6. I have a few questions however. 1) What is the selectivity of ImagineK12? How many apply and how many get selected t

I am working on an edtech startup for PK-6. I have a few questions however. 1) What is the selectivity of ImagineK12? How many apply and how many get selected typically? 2) When is a good time to apply? I started off about 2 months back and have conducted a fair bit of customer development and some product development. 3) I am the only founder and I don't code. For now, am getting it done through freelancing friends, looking for a more permanent technical cofounder. Is that viewed negatively? Thanks, AK

mikeleeorg 14y ago
I was part of the IK12 W2012 cohort and can answer some of your questions. 1) They don't reveal how many applications they receive, though they tend to accept around 9-10 teams for each cohort. Since they are modelled off of YC, much of their criteria and selectiveness are similar. Geoff Ralston, an IK12 partner, is also a partner with YC. 2) I don't think there's a good, standard answer for when is the best time to apply to an incubator. It kind of depends on your background. Like YC, if you & your team are a bunch of amazing hackers & hustlers, it's possible you'll be accepted without an idea. Having an established idea with demonstrable traction is also a good thing. I would suggest applying right now, just to go through the process. Even if you aren't accepted, the application process will force you to fine-tune your business strategy. 3) Being a non-technical founder is not necessarily a show-stopper. One of the current startups, NoRedInk.com, came in as a single non-technical founder. However, this founder is a teacher, had demonstrable traction, and had already raised some money - so he entered the program with an enticing track record so far. Good luck!
- akhushraj 14y ago
  Mike, Thanks for your response. These make sense and I will be applying this time. Cheers! Abhinav

mikeleeorg 14y ago

I was part of the IK12 W2012 cohort and can answer some of your questions. 1) They don't reveal how many applications they receive, though they tend to accept around 9-10 teams for each cohort. Since they are modelled off of YC, much of their criteria and selectiveness are similar. Geoff Ralston, an IK12 partner, is also a partner with YC. 2) I don't think there's a good, standard answer for when is the best time to apply to an incubator. It kind of depends on your background. Like YC, if you & your team are a bunch of amazing hackers & hustlers, it's possible you'll be accepted without an idea. Having an established idea with demonstrable traction is also a good thing. I would suggest applying right now, just to go through the process. Even if you aren't accepted, the application process will force you to fine-tune your business strategy. 3) Being a non-technical founder is not necessarily a show-stopper. One of the current startups, NoRedInk.com, came in as a single non-technical founder. However, this founder is a teacher, had demonstrable traction, and had already raised some money - so he entered the program with an enticing track record so far. Good luck!

akhushraj 14y ago
Mike, Thanks for your response. These make sense and I will be applying this time. Cheers! Abhinav