Y Combinator continued

10 points by python_kiss 19 years ago | 8 comments

pg 19 years ago |

Though this article is defending us, I disagree with it. What makes YC a good deal is not that we take common stock rather than preferred, but simply that we improve the average startup's outcome way more than the 6% we "cost."

Sam_Odio 19 years ago | |

6% is a bargain, IMHO. Obviously, if it weren't, YC wouldn't be so popular.

Those who argue that YC is expensive, are saying it's not worth the upfront capital of ~$6,000. They're right - it's not. $6,000 is easy to come by.

However it's the rest of the package that's so valuable - the press / support / mentorship / etc. Heck, I'd give YC 6% AND $6,000 for a chance to be part of that...

gibsonf1 19 years ago | |

I think the bottom line is that the competition is envious - I don't know who could provide the kind of network that YC provides. There is also probably the fear that YC represents the new way to fund startups "sucking" all the talent from the old way. Fear and Envy are a powerful combination and a great motivator for lashing out with the hope that the lashing will create some dent in YC. But the effort on the part of the competition will come to no avail - in fact you could argue it is a sign of how successful YC is becoming.

pg 19 years ago | | |

Actually I think the reason people attack us is cleverer than that. We've gotten a lot of press lately. Anyone who can establish himself as the canonical YC critic can thereby use the both-sides-of-the-story reflex of reporters to get mentioned in any story that mentions us.

Ustream is doing this to Justin.TV right now. They have nothing; just off-the-shelf hardware hooked up to a streaming service. If they'd launched by themselves, no one would have cared. They've achieved what prominence they have entirely by getting themselves mentioned in articles about Justin.TV. They matter more as the antiJustin than in their own right.

dawie 19 years ago | |

I think 6% is a small price to pay. I am not sure why the blogosphere is making such a big deal about it. I would give away double of that to be part of YC.

staunch 19 years ago |

YC is almost like a talent agent or broker -- finding the best hackers and setting them up with the logistical necessities, social connections, and advice. Taking a small cut of the transaction, entirely from the excess they create, is the only logical way to operate long-term.

vlad 19 years ago |

Now that we know that Y Combinator is not a scam (I wonder how many established businesses applied to YC for the first round? PG?), I think it's clear you want to go with them.