YC isn't for every startup. Viaweb couldn't have done it in the winter; I couldn't have gotten Rtm and Trevor to move. Yet they were good cofounders to have.
It's always a judgement call whether one's cofounders' inability to move is a sign of general lameness, or whether they're so good that they're worth having anyway. But it's that deeper question you need to answer. If your cofounders are lame, you should ditch them regardless; and if they're not, don't worry about YC, because good cofounders are worth more to a startup than we are.
Paul, thanks for the reply. I know that YC is not the end-all be-all, but I do think it would be a great way to increase our chance of success. I don't think my co-founder is lame at all. Actually he's a super smart guy, we have known each other for 7 years, and have started and sold one moderately successful startup together during college.
What is frustrating that maybe you didn't understand before is that we're not working together now as it is (in two different cities ... at least a 2hr plane away). For my own saneness, team energy, and for the sake of teamwork, I thought that moving to YC would be a great opportunity for us to actually work in the same room together, and have support all around. I know that if that happens, we will do great things.
btw ... I'm gonna apply anyway. So, you'll hear from me again soon.
There is also the problem of otherwise talented and determined potential co-founders who are unready or unwilling to commit fully due to the inertia of their lives.
I wouldn't describe them as "lame", but they can still be especially risky. They will likely be apt to entertain working on the startup which will be enticing, but you really don't want to get strung along. The sooner you can assess the likelihood they are capable of committing the better.
My guess is that the best tactic in this case is to figure out way to convince them the startup is happening with or without them. Just like investors the best motivator is probably fear of missing out.
Comments
YC isn't for every startup. Viaweb couldn't have done it in the winter; I couldn't have gotten Rtm and Trevor to move. Yet they were good cofounders to have.
It's always a judgement call whether one's cofounders' inability to move is a sign of general lameness, or whether they're so good that they're worth having anyway. But it's that deeper question you need to answer. If your cofounders are lame, you should ditch them regardless; and if they're not, don't worry about YC, because good cofounders are worth more to a startup than we are.
Paul, thanks for the reply. I know that YC is not the end-all be-all, but I do think it would be a great way to increase our chance of success. I don't think my co-founder is lame at all. Actually he's a super smart guy, we have known each other for 7 years, and have started and sold one moderately successful startup together during college.
What is frustrating that maybe you didn't understand before is that we're not working together now as it is (in two different cities ... at least a 2hr plane away). For my own saneness, team energy, and for the sake of teamwork, I thought that moving to YC would be a great opportunity for us to actually work in the same room together, and have support all around. I know that if that happens, we will do great things.
btw ... I'm gonna apply anyway. So, you'll hear from me again soon.
There is also the problem of otherwise talented and determined potential co-founders who are unready or unwilling to commit fully due to the inertia of their lives.
I wouldn't describe them as "lame", but they can still be especially risky. They will likely be apt to entertain working on the startup which will be enticing, but you really don't want to get strung along. The sooner you can assess the likelihood they are capable of committing the better.
My guess is that the best tactic in this case is to figure out way to convince them the startup is happening with or without them. Just like investors the best motivator is probably fear of missing out.