Tossing in an idea: Why not use a rolling application process where founders can update YC on any progress they are making with their startups and an internal system ranks and reddit-scores the startups. YC can jump in and send a note to a founder any time - like an internal advisory board. When application times near, just send a note to the founders you find promising based on your scoring system and they can provide additional info like a video or join an interview if needed. This approach would give YC a lot more data and be less distracting to founders. If you want to reduce volume, just ping companies you know are not VC fundable and let them move on.
The deadline-based application process is distracting. While the application is helpful, and should be kept, the founders are expected to waste time and attention every 6 months wondering "but what if my next 3 out of 6 months are committed to YC". Now requesting recommendations adds just one more distraction. People who are committed to work on their project will likely apply multiple times to an ever-decreasing odds process.
If you keep the application open year-round we can just direct information your way whenever it happens and use it as our own benchmark. Just a thought.
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Tossing in an idea: Why not use a rolling application process where founders can update YC on any progress they are making with their startups and an internal system ranks and reddit-scores the startups. YC can jump in and send a note to a founder any time - like an internal advisory board. When application times near, just send a note to the founders you find promising based on your scoring system and they can provide additional info like a video or join an interview if needed. This approach would give YC a lot more data and be less distracting to founders. If you want to reduce volume, just ping companies you know are not VC fundable and let them move on.
The deadline-based application process is distracting. While the application is helpful, and should be kept, the founders are expected to waste time and attention every 6 months wondering "but what if my next 3 out of 6 months are committed to YC". Now requesting recommendations adds just one more distraction. People who are committed to work on their project will likely apply multiple times to an ever-decreasing odds process.
If you keep the application open year-round we can just direct information your way whenever it happens and use it as our own benchmark. Just a thought.