5 ms·

YCombinator companies have a far higher success percentage than the general start-up population. Most fail is hardly a criticism when the default environment i

by TimPC 12y ago

YCombinator companies have a far higher success percentage than the general start-up population. Most fail is hardly a criticism when the default environment is 90% of start-ups fail. Moving 90% to 60% for example means your chance of success quadruples, but it still meets your criticism of "most fail".

ThomPete 12y ago
The reason they don't fail is most likely more to do with the fact that yCombinator is already a powerhouse more than with the advice.
TimPC 12y ago
Can't nest comments any further, but one of my previous companies got rejected at YC before becoming the most recent example of how not to apply to YC, and having a successful exit. I recognize the lines from the application, we're literally the example of what not to do according to YC, had a decent outcome and I'm still convinced this lecture had lots of great advice and if I were to start myself I'd follow more of it. Take what you will from that.
- ThomPete 12y ago
  But there are many other companies not doing what YC recommends who do just fine and that is the point. Advice is great but be careful what you think it teaches you.
  - TimPC 12y ago
    Probabalistic advice is different from deterministic advice in that there are exceptions to the rules. Assuming you are the exception as an excuse to avoid the rules generally results in worse performance rather than better. Avoiding the advice entirely without even trying to comprehend why you are the exception seems to border on certifiable to me.
    - ThomPete 12y ago
      You are trying to prove a point which makes no sense to prove. There are many ways to success following advice can both take you down the right and the wrong path so can not following it. There is only one test and that is reality. If you believe otherwise you are fooling yourself imho.

5 ms·

YCombinator companies have a far higher success percentage than the general start-up population. Most fail is hardly a criticism when the default environment i

by TimPC 12y ago

ThomPete 12y ago
The reason they don't fail is most likely more to do with the fact that yCombinator is already a powerhouse more than with the advice.
TimPC 12y ago
Can't nest comments any further, but one of my previous companies got rejected at YC before becoming the most recent example of how not to apply to YC, and having a successful exit. I recognize the lines from the application, we're literally the example of what not to do according to YC, had a decent outcome and I'm still convinced this lecture had lots of great advice and if I were to start myself I'd follow more of it. Take what you will from that.
- ThomPete 12y ago
  But there are many other companies not doing what YC recommends who do just fine and that is the point. Advice is great but be careful what you think it teaches you.
  - TimPC 12y ago
    Probabalistic advice is different from deterministic advice in that there are exceptions to the rules. Assuming you are the exception as an excuse to avoid the rules generally results in worse performance rather than better. Avoiding the advice entirely without even trying to comprehend why you are the exception seems to border on certifiable to me.
    - ThomPete 12y ago
      You are trying to prove a point which makes no sense to prove. There are many ways to success following advice can both take you down the right and the wrong path so can not following it. There is only one test and that is reality. If you believe otherwise you are fooling yourself imho.