I don't speak for YC, but I'd guess it has to do with demonstrating that you're not just a coder in a basement, and that you'll be able to get things done in th

I don't speak for YC, but I'd guess it has to do with demonstrating that you're not just a coder in a basement, and that you'll be able to get things done in the "real" world. Sam's answer to his own question is probably a great indicator of the type of thing that he's looking for: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9239203 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9239203 edit: also this - have you done the impossible https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9239229 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9239229