we've had our application reviewed by a YC company that would probably derive zero value from our product. the advice was cogent and helpful, both with respect to getting into YC and the company generally.
I think that if you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to get comfortable with writing cold-emails and getting lots of rejection. It's just part of the game. Plus, it's not that cold of an email: you want to do YC and the founder has done YC. You already have a shared interest.
It's tough to build credibility in a few short lines, but I appreciate the "shared interest" suggestion. I hadn't considered that this even counted. Thanks!