I wonder when we'll start seeing startups created specifically to help people apply to programs like YC. Similar to prep classes for the SAT, these could help you fill out your apps, fine-tune your answers to the essay questions, coach you on interviews, and even polish your videos. Maybe advanced courses could teach you how to launch and market your MVP before applying to YC.
Sounds like a good idea. How about this - a "microincubator". For a 0.1% "advisor" stake in your company, I will advise you on how to get into YC. If you don't get into YC, you get your equity back. To apply just email me a rough draft of your YC application ;-)
For a 0.01% advisor stake in your company, I will advise you on how to get into hn-user lacker's microincubator. If you don't get into hn-user lacker's microincubator, you get your equity back. ...
YC's application process is genuinely about the factors that lead to success, with that in mind, why not just teach people to be successful and cut out the application bs?
why not just teach people to be successful and cut out the application bs?
I think you'll have a hard time coaching someone to be successful. I think a service like this would take people who already have the qualities of successful startup founders, but maybe lack the ability to express that through an application, video, interview, and demo. More "makeup on a model" than "lipstick on a pig"
It's pretty easy to coach someone to be successful the big problem is whether or not they really want to be successful. Most people have a list of excuses a mile long as to why they aren't successful. People have little desire to be successful for the most part they strive towards mediocrity. Being able to express yourself clearly and concisely is essential for success.
Even in myself I recognize a bunch of traits that are holding me back, and every week I evaluate how I'm progressing on those issues.
I'm not trying to be a sophist, however, the impression you leave on people is who you are. For the most part the makeup is the model. By the time you've coached someone enough to get them into YC they will be perfectly positioned to be successful.
The application asks the questions that you must be able to answer to be successful. What are you building? Who is your competition? It's like a streamlined business plan. Even if you weren't applying to YC this application would be an effective way to pick apart a startup idea.
