The #1 lesson we learned from our interviews is to be prepared.
Pitch everybody you know on your idea, and have the smartest people you know poke as many holes as possible, and address them. Then do it over again.
Pitch everybody you know on your idea, and have the smartest people you know poke as many holes as possible, and address them. Then do it over again.
Had I walked in totally chill and hang loose I feel I would have at least done better. The more you can convince yourself that you really dont care the more relaxed you will likely be. At least that is my $.02.
In retrospect, I'm so thankful YC gave us an opportunity to interview though. The lessons learned on pitching to an investor were so valuable, as was the advice. Even not being funded by YC it is a win-win in one way or another.
Of course I agree with you, but it should hopefully go without saying.
Perhaps YC should start with a 1 minute elevator pitch. The point isn't to show off the project, but to get interviewees to understand you won't have more than a minute of the stage and things will be dominated by questions. If I understand it, the 1 minute should be a good test of how you can present at demo day with none of their coaching.