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by verelo 3069 days ago
Approximately 7 years ago I applied to YC, and rightly so I was rejected [our idea sucked, our presentation of it sucked even more...i had a lot to learn in general]. Having said that, given how far the world has changed in that time, but how little progress YC seems to have made [other than diluting their value across a larger number of companies per cohort], I don't know they're still as interesting in the world today.

Additionally, i hate Bay Area "culture". I feel like it's got a lot of the problems Hollywood has, and frankly even if it didn't, i'm not sure I'd want to live in an overpriced apartment in the burbs. On the plus side, the weather is great...
2 comments
thoaway012218 3069 days ago
I now have a business that grossed $50k+ last month just because I was forced to answer the "what did you hack lately" question. YC rejected my application but the hack idea, which I posted on Youtube, had so much interest it became a real company. Thanks YC!
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plinkplonk 3068 days ago
> "what did you hack lately" question.

Is this part of the application anymore? I took a quick look and all I could find was

"Please tell us about an interesting project, preferably outside of class or work, that two or more of you created together. Include urls if possible. "

"Please tell us something surprising or amusing that one of you has discovered. "

both of which seem to be, at best, sanitized versions of the original questions which IIRC referred specifically to hacking systems, and impressive achievements of founders.

(If somebody has saved the original questions from the PG era, could you confirms this?)

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vqc 3068 days ago
The application now comes in two parts: one for the "business" and one for each founder. I believe the "hack" question is now in the founder application.
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plinkplonk 3068 days ago
Thank You. Very Interesting!
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yeukhon 3069 days ago
On the last point: I wouldn’t starting my company in the Bay Area either, both the culture and the expense, but more so because I live in NYC so I have everywhere I need. For those, say, living in middle of nowhere, I still suggest look at NYC, Austin, Seattle, Denver and Boston. Plenty of opportunities.
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