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As a solo founder, is it worth the time to apply if I don't already have a finished product and significant traction? P.S. I know many people would suggest to

by zaguios 12y ago

As a solo founder, is it worth the time to apply if I don't already have a finished product and significant traction? P.S. I know many people would suggest to find a cofounder, but that hasn't worked well for me. In my area there aren't many experienced programmers with an entrepreneurial spirit. The few people I have tried to start something with usually fall through due to not being able to keep up. I'd rather stop wasting my time with the hunt and start just building something by myself.

jameshk 12y ago
I'd think so. Most companies that apply have neither a finished product or traction, and the application might just help you clear things up in your head.
- zaguios 12y ago
  Filling out the application probably won't hurt, but I'm more curious if there is any chance of actually getting in. I'm not a stanford grad or an ex-googler so I would assume that combined with the fact that I'm solo founder would make my chances more or less 0. The only way I could see actually getting into YC at this point with my situation is to have an already successful company.
  - cyri 12y ago
    Same problem here ... at least my wife can act as CFO/HR ...
  - jameshk 12y ago
    Try it. You don't need to be an ex-googler or Stanford grad to be good at what you do. Be passionate, and convey your expertise and skills or lack of, in the application. Keep on working on your startup, although getting into YC would be helpful it does not come with instant success. If you want advice or someone to read over your application, I'd love to. My email is in my HN profile.
  - codingdave 12y ago
    I tend to think that if your general attitude is to not even take the time to try, and instead keep focusing on the potential for failure, then no... it is probably not worth your time. Or phrased in a more well-known way... whether you think you can, or think you cannot, you are correct.
alain94040 12y ago
Yes, start building something yourself and stop looking for a co-founder for the wrong reasons. http://foundrs.com/find-a-cofounder http://foundrs.com/find-a-cofounder : "Solo founders usually fail because they are bad at convincing anyone of anything. Artificially adding a co-founder will not change that critical personality trait: are you charismatic enough to lead?"
- WillNotDownvote 12y ago
  While having a co-founder might indicate you have trouble convincing people of things, or that you have no desire to do so, it's also the case that having a co-founder is no indication at all that you do have the ability to persuade. I'd be willing to bet more co-founders than not are the people who happened to be close by and were the path of least resistance for each of them to move forward. Entirely possible there was no convincing, leadership, nor charisma involved.
tzm 12y ago
Yes, it's worth the time and effort. I was a solo founder and was invited for an interview. Regardless of outcome, the process is a healthy step forward.
sjtgraham 12y ago
I think YC would expect you to be a bit more earnest in your efforts to find a cofounder, e.g. move somewhere with higher concentration of talent and ambition. Solo founders are seen as risky to fund by YC, so what could you do to mitigate that risk? Finish something, and show traction.
paul 12y ago
Drew Houston applied as a single founder with no product or traction, so yes :)
- zaguios 12y ago
  Several years ago when there were less applications and he got turned down initially...
  - paul 12y ago
    And also fewer partners reviewing applications. He was turned down for a previous batch because he applied with a bad idea (SAT test prep), not because he was a single founder. If we would now pass on DropBox, something has gone very wrong. I can't believe I have to argue this point...
    - WillNotDownvote 12y ago
      Certainly my impression of everything that pg has said is that solo founders have the odds stacked heavily against them when it comes to YC acceptance. I'm surprised that you're surprised that's what we all believe.
      - paul 12y ago
        Everyone has the odds stacked against them. Successful founders are by definition outliers. If we didn't accept solo founders, we wouldn't bother having them apply.
        stevenjohns 12y ago
        My group was rejected last time (I'm assuming) because the founders hadn't physically met and because of a lack of prototype. Now the founders have met (the group of founders has actually received an addition of an elec. eng) but we still don't have a prototype. Hopefully it works out this time around.
    - 12y ago
chacham15 12y ago
My favorite way of looking at it is via the advice given here[1]: you need to be outstanding in at least one of the following: the idea, team, or traction. As a solo founder with no traction, it is therefore reasonable to conclude that you would have to have a remarkable idea. [1] http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/20/how-to-write-a-winning-y-combinator-application/ http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/20/how-to-write-a-winning-y-c...
jonathancordeau 12y ago
The process of applying is valuable in and of itself. It will force you to clearly communicate your idea and what potential it truly has. You'll likely refine your idea alone through the application process. Don't plan for the downside, rather, "act as if" and churn out the best possible application.
tawnymarie 12y ago
My response to you would be "Why not?" "What do you have to lose?" "You never know until you try". The fact that they have accepted solo founders should be a reason in of itself to apply because there's a chance and I don't know about you but as a solo founder myself that chance is completely worth it. Even without acceptance there is so much to be learned from this process. Just filling out the application itself gets you thinking about aspects of your idea and/or startup that you didn't really consider or think of before.
- Richallen1 12y ago
  I agree. in the early stage you have nothing to loose. You need to try everything that has the possibility to help your business! Also with every thing like Ycomb and others each time you put your product forward you are refining your pitch.
zeeshanm 12y ago
Just apply, spend 30 mins, and get done with it. And then get back to whatever you were doing. Don't stress over application or forming an ideal team. This will just happen over time as a by-product.

by zaguios 12y ago

jameshk 12y ago

I'd think so. Most companies that apply have neither a finished product or traction, and the application might just help you clear things up in your head.

zaguios 12y ago
Filling out the application probably won't hurt, but I'm more curious if there is any chance of actually getting in. I'm not a stanford grad or an ex-googler so I would assume that combined with the fact that I'm solo founder would make my chances more or less 0. The only way I could see actually getting into YC at this point with my situation is to have an already successful company.
- cyri 12y ago
  Same problem here ... at least my wife can act as CFO/HR ...
- jameshk 12y ago
  Try it. You don't need to be an ex-googler or Stanford grad to be good at what you do. Be passionate, and convey your expertise and skills or lack of, in the application. Keep on working on your startup, although getting into YC would be helpful it does not come with instant success. If you want advice or someone to read over your application, I'd love to. My email is in my HN profile.
- codingdave 12y ago
  I tend to think that if your general attitude is to not even take the time to try, and instead keep focusing on the potential for failure, then no... it is probably not worth your time. Or phrased in a more well-known way... whether you think you can, or think you cannot, you are correct.

alain94040 12y ago

Yes, start building something yourself and stop looking for a co-founder for the wrong reasons. http://foundrs.com/find-a-cofounder http://foundrs.com/find-a-cofounder : "Solo founders usually fail because they are bad at convincing anyone of anything. Artificially adding a co-founder will not change that critical personality trait: are you charismatic enough to lead?"

WillNotDownvote 12y ago
While having a co-founder might indicate you have trouble convincing people of things, or that you have no desire to do so, it's also the case that having a co-founder is no indication at all that you do have the ability to persuade. I'd be willing to bet more co-founders than not are the people who happened to be close by and were the path of least resistance for each of them to move forward. Entirely possible there was no convincing, leadership, nor charisma involved.

tzm 12y ago

Yes, it's worth the time and effort. I was a solo founder and was invited for an interview. Regardless of outcome, the process is a healthy step forward.

sjtgraham 12y ago

I think YC would expect you to be a bit more earnest in your efforts to find a cofounder, e.g. move somewhere with higher concentration of talent and ambition. Solo founders are seen as risky to fund by YC, so what could you do to mitigate that risk? Finish something, and show traction.

paul 12y ago

Drew Houston applied as a single founder with no product or traction, so yes :)

zaguios 12y ago
Several years ago when there were less applications and he got turned down initially...
- paul 12y ago
  And also fewer partners reviewing applications. He was turned down for a previous batch because he applied with a bad idea (SAT test prep), not because he was a single founder. If we would now pass on DropBox, something has gone very wrong. I can't believe I have to argue this point...
  - WillNotDownvote 12y ago
    Certainly my impression of everything that pg has said is that solo founders have the odds stacked heavily against them when it comes to YC acceptance. I'm surprised that you're surprised that's what we all believe.
    - paul 12y ago
      Everyone has the odds stacked against them. Successful founders are by definition outliers. If we didn't accept solo founders, we wouldn't bother having them apply.
      - stevenjohns 12y ago
        My group was rejected last time (I'm assuming) because the founders hadn't physically met and because of a lack of prototype. Now the founders have met (the group of founders has actually received an addition of an elec. eng) but we still don't have a prototype. Hopefully it works out this time around.
  - 12y ago

chacham15 12y ago

My favorite way of looking at it is via the advice given here[1]: you need to be outstanding in at least one of the following: the idea, team, or traction. As a solo founder with no traction, it is therefore reasonable to conclude that you would have to have a remarkable idea. [1] http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/20/how-to-write-a-winning-y-combinator-application/ http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/20/how-to-write-a-winning-y-c...

jonathancordeau 12y ago

The process of applying is valuable in and of itself. It will force you to clearly communicate your idea and what potential it truly has. You'll likely refine your idea alone through the application process. Don't plan for the downside, rather, "act as if" and churn out the best possible application.

tawnymarie 12y ago

My response to you would be "Why not?" "What do you have to lose?" "You never know until you try". The fact that they have accepted solo founders should be a reason in of itself to apply because there's a chance and I don't know about you but as a solo founder myself that chance is completely worth it. Even without acceptance there is so much to be learned from this process. Just filling out the application itself gets you thinking about aspects of your idea and/or startup that you didn't really consider or think of before.

Richallen1 12y ago
I agree. in the early stage you have nothing to loose. You need to try everything that has the possibility to help your business! Also with every thing like Ycomb and others each time you put your product forward you are refining your pitch.

zeeshanm 12y ago

Just apply, spend 30 mins, and get done with it. And then get back to whatever you were doing. Don't stress over application or forming an ideal team. This will just happen over time as a by-product.