How A Y Combinator Startup Is Born: The Story Of Strikingly | Hacker News Reader

How A Y Combinator Startup Is Born: The Story Of Strikingly

onforb.es

110 pointsteng25 comments

I also think it's notable that we're starting to see more and more international startups like Strikingly in YC. (I define "international" here as a team of founders with roots and/or a strong network in a country outside the US)

I'm biased since my own startup is applying to YC S13 from Korea. We did some research and noticed that in the current W13 batch there are teams from China (Strikingly), from Singapore, etc.

I'm a big fan of what YC does for entrepreneurs, and I'm happy to see that their alumni network is gradually reaching more and more parts of the world. YC might (understandably) not have any plans to expand internationally, but they don't have to if their alumni do it for them.

How did you get your post on Forbes?

We reached out through personal network. The writer is interested in our story.

This story must have the highest points : relevant comments ratio I've seen.

2 hours, 57 points and only one comment of any relevance.

Now we got two. The ratio is kaputt.

The product is great, but what I think it is much more important is how the persevered after they were initially rejected. Many others would just have called it a day and gone home to a cushy job. They did not, worked hard for many months without knowing if they would be accepted the second time, and they finally succeeded.

I haven't seen anyone that simply quits and leaves a startups because they didn't get into YC. Most just apply to TS, 500S, FF or try to contact angels on their own.

That's like... "Its impressive how you didn't give up after the first girl that you asked out rejected you. You persevered and continued to ask other girls out."

Previous discussion on Strikingly, https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5359507

edit: just noticed, the top and bottom of their home page are almost exactly the same. Except for the size of the logo. Interesting.

The bottom sign up form actually increased our conversion. :)

Really cool behind the scenes story that you for the most part don't get to hear. Everyone's interested in your funding strategy, value prop, etc.. that they forget founders are humans just like us.

onforb.es -> forbes.com.

Why do people continually upvote forbes.com articles? So many ads, and the big ad before you see the article can't be skipped automatically.

Because they have some high quality content.

I have never seen a screen name and comment go better together.

Because many of the upvoters work for Forbes.

startups with names ending in "ly"

Which is better than startups with names ending in ".ly"

Did the scare about Libyan internet problems fade away?

Part of your sentence appears to be missing, but I'll fill it in for myself. The "ly" thing is beyond worn out. The odd thing in this case is that they actually chose a real word.

Part.ly missing.

Such a genuine entrepreneurial story!

Why do many YC companies have lame names? Is that cos ya'll can't afford vowels or .com in your names? Serious question.

I can't imagine how PG lives with these lame sounding names.

Ex: Names ending in Libya -

embed.ly

refer.ly

And other just totally dumb stupid sounding, like

FitFu

Notifo

Swagapalooza

Nambii.

AwesomeHighlighter

Youlicit

Mixwit

Wundrbar

iJigg

Talkito

Thinkature

Flagr

Memamp

(all DEAD btw).

Just curious. Don't downvote me cos you hate what I am calling you out on, PG!

Strikingly is at strikingly.com

inserts random, out of place positive comment

Clamors. Like the world.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com