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It seems to me that YC is more interested in making quick in/out investments and not in real long term projects. Long term projects belong in the hands of those

It seems to me that YC is more interested in making quick in/out investments and not in real long term projects. Long term projects belong in the hands of those that are willing to go in for the long haul. I am not too disappointed that our application was rejected on those grounds. Really, who wants to give up so much for a few dollars and a chance to give a presentation?

mattmaroon 19y ago
That's not exactly true. They remain involved with you indefinitely. They have a vested interest in your success, it would be silly of them not to. Their strategy (lot of small investments) does take depend on economies of scale, so it's not as hands on as Sequoias, which depends a few big investments. They obviously won't spend as much time with you as a VC would because of that, but the time they do spend is proportionately more valuable. You give up a small % of the company, and it's a lot more than a presentation. There are also advice, contacts, and credibility.
veritas 19y ago
Fair point. YC exists not to be on your board or help run the business, but to help you get to the people that will do those things. Which, I consider, to be a valuable service. Have you had any contact with Sequoia? If so, what are they like?
- GammaStats 19y ago
  We have not made contact yet. However all of our research suggests that they are an easy bunch to work with. It is in their best interest not to turn people away on the basis of no-intro. The founders of many of their start-ups contacted them out of the blue with their plan and expressed desire to work with them.
nanijoe 19y ago
"I am not too disappointed that our application was rejected on those grounds. Really, who wants to give up so much for a few dollars and a chance to give a presentation? " This is of course tongue-in-cheek right?
- GammaStats 19y ago
  Actually no, One of the primary factors that makes me say this is that Google got over $12million for only a 10% stake in the company from Sequoia Capital. I learned about this after we had already applied. If PG would have asked us for an interview and invited us, I (personally) would have rejected the offer if their stake was to be more than say 2%. YC is asking for a huge chunk for slight benefits. Its not tongue-in-cheek, its strictly good business.
danielha 19y ago
> Really, who wants to give up so much for a few dollars and a chance to give a presentation? You do. ;)
- danielzarick 18y ago
  Could not have been said more succinctly, Daniel.

mattmaroon 19y ago

That's not exactly true. They remain involved with you indefinitely. They have a vested interest in your success, it would be silly of them not to. Their strategy (lot of small investments) does take depend on economies of scale, so it's not as hands on as Sequoias, which depends a few big investments. They obviously won't spend as much time with you as a VC would because of that, but the time they do spend is proportionately more valuable. You give up a small % of the company, and it's a lot more than a presentation. There are also advice, contacts, and credibility.

veritas 19y ago

Fair point. YC exists not to be on your board or help run the business, but to help you get to the people that will do those things. Which, I consider, to be a valuable service. Have you had any contact with Sequoia? If so, what are they like?

GammaStats 19y ago
We have not made contact yet. However all of our research suggests that they are an easy bunch to work with. It is in their best interest not to turn people away on the basis of no-intro. The founders of many of their start-ups contacted them out of the blue with their plan and expressed desire to work with them.

nanijoe 19y ago

"I am not too disappointed that our application was rejected on those grounds. Really, who wants to give up so much for a few dollars and a chance to give a presentation? " This is of course tongue-in-cheek right?

GammaStats 19y ago
Actually no, One of the primary factors that makes me say this is that Google got over $12million for only a 10% stake in the company from Sequoia Capital. I learned about this after we had already applied. If PG would have asked us for an interview and invited us, I (personally) would have rejected the offer if their stake was to be more than say 2%. YC is asking for a huge chunk for slight benefits. Its not tongue-in-cheek, its strictly good business.

danielha 19y ago

> Really, who wants to give up so much for a few dollars and a chance to give a presentation? You do. ;)

danielzarick 18y ago
Could not have been said more succinctly, Daniel.