Y we did not submit to Y Combinator | Hacker News Reader

Y we did not submit to Y Combinator

8 pointsucentric6 comments

1. 10% arbitrary evaluation of equity arrived at via a pre-determined valuation of $6000(ave) is simply BS unless the IP is considered worthless upon consideration. 2. Desperation does NOT equal success. When you sell-out, you HAVE already sold-out. (ie the period enlightenment before sell-out) so no matter how successful you become, you will always have these $6k partners stymieing the proceedings from there-on-in. 3. Middlemen are the PROBLEM with free-enterprise not the SOLUTION. They cunningly present themselves as the solution to the very problems they create. If you need one, you have nothing of real value. 4.Ycombinator, despite their claimed virtues, are trying to CONTROL TECH STARTUPS through simple avarice. They don’t control the end-user so they actually control nothing unless you submit to their BS. Solution: Don’t sell-out. Persist. If you build it, and they want it. They will come. Ycombination is a construct best ignored by the serious players.

What does YCombinator give you?

-- Access to advice from more experienced people (in many respects: programming, architecture, business model, user acquisition, usability, user experience. It's rare for any startup to have 2-3 founders that together are rock solid in all these areas)

-- A name-brand incubator that helps you attract talent

-- A name-brand incubator that helps you attract high-value first adopters

-- Networking with other very talented YCombinator applicants and alumni

-- Plenty of news coverage from tech pundits and other journalists because of the YCombinator brand

I would bet you that the overwhelming majority of YCombinator applicants do not apply for the money. They most likely apply for all the other intangible benefits.

Try not to sound like a conspiracy theorist, it doesn't help convey your point.

I'm sure somewhere in that statement is a cogent opinion about downside of accepting equity investments and the loss of control entailed, but the lack of structure and general ranting makes it hard to see.

If you believe that Y-combinator provides better than a 10% improvement in your odds of success, then they are more than worth what they ask for.

If you aren't interested that's fine, My start-up wouldn't even qualify for Y-Combinator but that has nothing to do with what they represent. I think its great, you should keep negative thoughts to yourself.

Some people won't get anywhere without the network so who are you to tell them to not follow their dreams because you don't want them to Sell Out.

Last time I checked most Start ups can't wait to Sell Out to someone...

Good luck pitching Mike Arrington :)

No.

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