[oliverx0]

I understand circumstances are forcing this to happen, but if online batches are now a possibility, the FAQs should be updated:

"Can we do it without moving to where you are?"

Sorry, no. We tried this once, and by Demo Day that startup was way behind the rest. What we do, we have to do in person. We would not be doing a startup a favor by not making them come to YC events in person.

However, you don't have to be in silicon valley 24x7. If you have a business that requires that you be somewhere else, we will work something out so you can participate in YC events while also being attentive to your business. Usually the founders will rotate between locations, or fly back and forth.

Of course, after the 3 month program, you can go wherever you want.

[TTPrograms]

It's sort of crazy to make such a sweeping decision based on one case - especially when remote collaboration tools are improving on a quarterly basis.

Of course statements like this are just rationalizations - not arguments employed to arrive at objective conclusions.

[vikramkr]

Yeah, looking back at it there's definitely a question raised by how it was just one data point, especially considering that this also means there likely wasn't a lot of institutional support on YC's end for the one remote startup as well. It wouldn't be deliberate but if you've just got that one remote startup you aren't going to be really trying to make remote programming work and making all the resources remote-friendly.

For other experiments, YC has discussed publically (fellowship, accepting people with no idea, early decision) there were what seemed externally at least to be well-run experiments with multiple accepted and some longer-term tracking to see how that worked. No remote seems to finally be getting that proper experimentation and treatment, I guess we'll see how that goes.

There are a lot of benefits to in person, I personally prefer working on things in-person to remote (in biotech, in-person really matters), but it'll be an interesting experiment this batch to see how much room there is for fully remote startup development across all the sectors they invest, both in terms of the batch itself and the companies individually.

[jjeaff]

Ya, that's exactly what I thought when I read that. I guess if that one single company had been an amazing success, they would have just dropped everything, shit down the offices and gone fully virtual at that point?

[snowmaker]

Thanks, I'll update that.

[ablekh]

Please clarify: a) whether Demo Day is mandatory for a batch startups, in general, and b) whether Demo Day will be fully online as the rest of the batch program. Thank you in advance.

[snowmaker]

Demo day is never mandatory, and for this summer batch it will be fully online.

[ablekh]

I see. Much appreciate your prompt response.

[_gmnw]

Hi Jared, I found another field that might be worth updating. There is a question in the Founder's profile asking if you are willing to relocate to the bay area, which doesn't feel applicable for this batch.