Guide to Seed Fund Incubators (Y Combinator Clones)
readwriteweb.com
readwriteweb.com
I probably won't make the cut but the chance at having the influence and instant publicity is too much to pass up to not try.
It's true we're reluctant to fund single founders-- there are only 2 in the current batch-- but that's because it really does make it much harder to succeed. So you should try and find someone you know who will work with you, if you can.
Something hard to imagine until you think about it is that it will be impossible to find someone to join you when you're already in San Francisco. Apparently, there are a lot of startups, Fortune 500, and Inc 500 companies competing for the same people. At least, that's what I've come to understand. So, he is really doing you (us) a favor.
[edit: reason enough to make a new Ivy League? call it the 100 League]
I submitted to Y, but received the no, yet I submitted to other well known events(TC40 & a NY event) and was accepted.
Y would be cool for this lone entrepreneur just for the sole fact of being around like minded individuals!
To the poster thanks for posting this great resource!
"I probably won't make the cut"
Stop talking like that right now! That negative little voice in your head will make your failure a self fulfilling prophesy. Don't mean to get all Dr. Phil on you, but if you're serious about starting a business, there is never room for that kind of talk, especially to yourself.
Good luck with that...
I am also about to release a version that works & acts like ning.com, and versions targeted towards specific verticals (all that run on the same base of code, so there is no code duplication at all).
I think YC and the others are looking for demonstrably talented people who yearn to build/launch things. Going to an ivy league school or working at a big company don't necessarily demonstrate these qualities. Even if they do (a little), there are plenty of other ways to show that you rock.
I don't hit on the things you listed either. At the time of your application, you won't be able to do much about any of those. You can change your attitude though. By attitude, I didn't and don't mean you're a jerk. I meant more in terms of optimism.
Is Y Combinator an incubator?
No.
Is this really a "large" number of imitators? Would it be a stretch to say that many of these are traditional angel investing with a few small twists?