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by pg 6267 days ago
Actually we did have a prototype of YC: we had an angel investor, Julian Weber, who gave us our first $10k, got all our paperwork done, taught us the rudiments of business, introduced us to one of our two next investors, and let us demo to them in his NYC loft.

We were very lucky to have Julian, and we would have been even better off with YC, which is a superset. In addition to all the above, you get other startups as colleagues, and startup-specific advice.
1 comments
eterno 6267 days ago
Exactly, and for those guys who do not get into YC, they still have the option of getting a 'prototype of YC' - which in your own words is almost the same as YC.

I am not saying YC is bad - far from it - I am myself a big fan.

The only thing I was pointing out was that the YC interview rejection/acceptance should ideally have only as much importance as being rejected/accepted from probably another angel investor - which happens more often than not in the startup world and consequently should not be given a lot of importance.

The entrepreneurs who are in the trenches shouldnt really care as much about a rejection or two - its no big deal and even an acceptance might not be a big deal - but if you build something that people want and have something to show for it then feel free to jump over the moon.

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pg 6267 days ago
which in your own words is almost the same as YC

Where did I say that? My point was that we were lucky to get a subset of YC.

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systemtrigger 6267 days ago
These guys are "building a more efficient market for flights" so they might need the kinds of connections and insight YC promises. If the founders are amazing and yet they need help producing their show you assume it's all a funding issue. They're from Australia; they don't know tech angels or Silicon Valley, they know YC. Even if all they think they need is money I don't know any angels who are clamouring for unreferred new blood, do you?

Success in the flights industry can be lucrative but if you don't hit a home run you get zip. Solution: impress some knowledgeable, connected people who will be determined to help you if they like you. These guys passed, maybe they have reason to be happy.

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