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Watching the video reinforced my desire to apply to Y Combinator. I've read in the guidelines that submitting multiple ideas is acceptable, and even preferred.

by rsskga 17y ago

Watching the video reinforced my desire to apply to Y Combinator. I've read in the guidelines that submitting multiple ideas is acceptable, and even preferred. It's also clear the majority of accepted startups are product-oriented (I'm considering automated subscriptions to a web service a product in this case), rather than service-oriented. My company is following the Guy Kawasaki method of offering services/consulting to generate immediate cash flow, while working on product-driven solutions in the background. I strongly believe the product I'm currently working on will succeed, though I don't believe it will ever be a good acquisition candidate for Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, etc. I'm wondering how important that is for acceptance into Y Combinator. Even the services I'm offering have an extra entrepreneurial twist. With a nod towards Anomaly (http://anomaly.com/ http://anomaly.com/), I have one carefully-screened client with whom I'm essentially working for equity rather than cash. Thus far I've been impressed by his performance and contributions to the project. In summary, I'm hoping that someone here will evaluate what I've written and respond with a convincing argument for why I should: A. Apply with my 'big picture' vision, incorporating most or all of the above - keeping my fingers crossed that what is essentially an agency with multiple business models has a chance at acceptance B. Apply with total focus on the app - even though it's not a good acquisition candidate C. Wait to apply until I have a product-driven idea that is a good acquisition candidate Thank you in advance for any light to be shed. I hope my questions possess some semblance of universal applicability.

rms 17y ago
First, read this if you haven't. http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html If you email me specifics I can give you some specific feedback as you start writing your application. However, (A) is probably the right answer: it is good to demonstrate to YC that you have multiple paths to success, especially because the ideas for these startups tend to change over the course of the Y Combinator program and behind. Just be very, very specific about what you're going to do. Not being an obvious acquisition target for Big Internet absolutely does not disqualify you or even hurt you. Your basic idea is a good one that will make you money -- and if you have real revenue you can always sell a company. Wufoo is the canonical example of a YC company going strong as an independent. So, my universal suggestion, would be to apply with your biggest picture vision, while focusing on that big picture as a specific, well-defined product rather than as services for individual clients.
- rsskga 17y ago
  Thanks very much for your feedback. As a Wufoo user myself, it is a very encouraging example.
pg 17y ago
I would advise being prepared to slide along the consulting/product continuum depending on your ability to raise funding. If your startup is good, you shouldn't have to rely on consulting, unless investors are too stupid to realize it (which does happen). The thing I notice most about your post, though, is the use of the singular. I'd get a cofounder if I were you.

by rsskga 17y ago

rms 17y ago

First, read this if you haven't. http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html If you email me specifics I can give you some specific feedback as you start writing your application. However, (A) is probably the right answer: it is good to demonstrate to YC that you have multiple paths to success, especially because the ideas for these startups tend to change over the course of the Y Combinator program and behind. Just be very, very specific about what you're going to do. Not being an obvious acquisition target for Big Internet absolutely does not disqualify you or even hurt you. Your basic idea is a good one that will make you money -- and if you have real revenue you can always sell a company. Wufoo is the canonical example of a YC company going strong as an independent. So, my universal suggestion, would be to apply with your biggest picture vision, while focusing on that big picture as a specific, well-defined product rather than as services for individual clients.

rsskga 17y ago
Thanks very much for your feedback. As a Wufoo user myself, it is a very encouraging example.

pg 17y ago

I would advise being prepared to slide along the consulting/product continuum depending on your ability to raise funding. If your startup is good, you shouldn't have to rely on consulting, unless investors are too stupid to realize it (which does happen). The thing I notice most about your post, though, is the use of the singular. I'd get a cofounder if I were you.