@ycombinator is the Harvard of Silicon Valley, and it’s not even close.
As a former partner, this is my step-by-step guide on how to get into the most prestigious startup accelerator in the world:
As a former partner, this is my step-by-step guide on how to get into the most prestigious startup accelerator in the world:
Let’s start with the application process:
The first thing you need to know is that the person reading your YC application is reading a metric shit ton of other applications.
(cont.)
The first thing you need to know is that the person reading your YC application is reading a metric shit ton of other applications.
(cont.)
Make your application as concise and simple as possible.
Skip all the buzzwords.
Don't get trapped in the jargon - it muddles the accessibility of your idea.
Skip all the buzzwords.
Don't get trapped in the jargon - it muddles the accessibility of your idea.
Test: show your app to a friend who is NOT in your industry and have them read it.
After 5 minutes, ask them to tell you what your app is about.
After 5 minutes, ask them to tell you what your app is about.
If they can tell you, great job!
If not, you have some work to do. Aim to have your application teach the reader something interesting.
Engage the curiosity of whoever is reading your application. When I am intrigued by a candidate, it makes me want to interview them.
If not, you have some work to do. Aim to have your application teach the reader something interesting.
Engage the curiosity of whoever is reading your application. When I am intrigued by a candidate, it makes me want to interview them.
First thing I’m looking for: Team.
Do they have a history of working together/building things? Can I trust them to actually bring this product/service to the market?
You don’t need to be the Avengers, or a crazy track record at a big company.
Do they have a history of working together/building things? Can I trust them to actually bring this product/service to the market?
You don’t need to be the Avengers, or a crazy track record at a big company.
If you’re in college or high school, maybe you’ve built some cool projects or participated in hack-a-thons with some friends.
For the past 15 years, I've see a bunches of business guys coming to me with their great idea...
but zero idea of how to build it and immediately go straight to asking for help with hiring engineers.
but zero idea of how to build it and immediately go straight to asking for help with hiring engineers.
2: Market
Is this a big market? If not, is this building on something that could eventually become a big market?
Justin.tv is a great example of a terrible idea with a huge future potential market
Is this a big market? If not, is this building on something that could eventually become a big market?
Justin.tv is a great example of a terrible idea with a huge future potential market
@paulg saw value in online livestreaming entertainment early on, even though it was completely obscure at the time.
It was enabled by the evolution of the internet, and that’s how Twitch became hugely successful.
It was enabled by the evolution of the internet, and that’s how Twitch became hugely successful.
3: Insight
Does the team have a special or unique insight into the market that no one else does?
Maybe their method of tackling this market is novel or disruptive.
Does the team have a special or unique insight into the market that no one else does?
Maybe their method of tackling this market is novel or disruptive.
Consider why your approach is the best compared to your competitors or alternative solutions that already exist - is your service easily replicated or developed as an add-on feature to an existing product?
4: Confidence
Is there something that makes me confident in the team?
This is usually a demonstration of basic capabilities - it doesn’t have to be fully functional, maybe just a prototype or a landing page.
Show some visual context to ground your application
Is there something that makes me confident in the team?
This is usually a demonstration of basic capabilities - it doesn’t have to be fully functional, maybe just a prototype or a landing page.
Show some visual context to ground your application
So who gets an interview?
The answer is simple:
1. the ones who have the most easy-to-understand application,
2. the ones who paid the most attention to the PERSONAL questions about the founder.
Investors (especially early-stage) want to back killers, not melted butter.
The answer is simple:
1. the ones who have the most easy-to-understand application,
2. the ones who paid the most attention to the PERSONAL questions about the founder.
Investors (especially early-stage) want to back killers, not melted butter.
Congratulations, you got your interview - now it's time to get serious
When I ask you questions about what your company does, you need to be ready with a compelling answer about why you have an opinion one way or the other.
When I ask you questions about what your company does, you need to be ready with a compelling answer about why you have an opinion one way or the other.
A big part of this is being able to support your vision with core metrics that you know inside and out.
If I ask you what metrics are important to your business and you say daily active users, you should know why, what those metrics are, and how they've been growing.
If I ask you what metrics are important to your business and you say daily active users, you should know why, what those metrics are, and how they've been growing.
That gives me confidence that you have a handle on what's important in your business.
After that, it's all about the plan to affect those metrics.
It’s not about being right, it is about having a compelling reason for why you think your approach is important.
After that, it's all about the plan to affect those metrics.
It’s not about being right, it is about having a compelling reason for why you think your approach is important.
Being able to drill in the metrics will help you present a positive business case for why your company is worth investing in.
It shows that you're a data-driven founder that is constantly working to improve them.
If you don't know your metrics, that's a huge red flag.
It shows that you're a data-driven founder that is constantly working to improve them.
If you don't know your metrics, that's a huge red flag.
Understand the small idea and the absolute biggest vision of it.
Small idea: the local problem you are trying to solve with your startup.
But I also want to understand where this can go (something much, much bigger)
Small idea: the local problem you are trying to solve with your startup.
But I also want to understand where this can go (something much, much bigger)
Pitch me the back pocket idea of how big your vision can expand to, something that truly changes the world, and something you passionately believe in.
This is ultimately what investors (and YC) are looking for.
This is ultimately what investors (and YC) are looking for.
Additional interview tips:
1. Don't talk over each other. Present yourselves as well-oiled machines.
Everyone needs to be on the same page - and you need to demonstrate this
1. Don't talk over each other. Present yourselves as well-oiled machines.
Everyone needs to be on the same page - and you need to demonstrate this
2. Rehearse and practice interview with YC alumni, sit down and pay attention to the types of questions they ask
Have some compelling answers ready in your head for when you need them
Have some compelling answers ready in your head for when you need them
3. Brevity is king (similar to your written app).
The easiest way to earn your interviewers attention is to give short, punchy and powerful answers.
The easiest way to earn your interviewers attention is to give short, punchy and powerful answers.
4. Don't get over-defensive when your idea gets challenged (and it will, trust me)
It is the interviewers job to stress-test your idea. You need to be comfortable admitting when you don't have all the answers. It also shows that you are open to new ideas.
It is the interviewers job to stress-test your idea. You need to be comfortable admitting when you don't have all the answers. It also shows that you are open to new ideas.
To find out more YC tips, and whether or not its right fo you be sure to check out my full video here:
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