How did they get into Y Combinator?
Sources:
Several interesting stories and approaches have been shared on My First Million about how different entrepreneurs got into Y Combinator (YC):
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AJ and Tony from iCracked:
- Business Concept: They created a phone repair service called iCracked, focusing on an on-demand model to fix cracked phones.
- Method: They scaled rapidly by targeting college campuses and training college students to handle repairs.
- Outcome: Their hustle and innovative approach, despite being a non-technical team, appealed to YC, and they were accepted into the program 1.
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Instacart Founders:
- Late Application: They applied to YC late and were initially rejected.
- Creative Pitch: They sent a six-pack of beer via Instacart to Gary Tan at YC headquarters to demonstrate their service in action.
- Breakthrough: This bold and creative demonstration led YC to reconsider, and they were eventually accepted despite the initial rejection 2.
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Reddit Founders (Steve and Alexis):
- First Batch: Reddit was in the first batch of YC startups. Their attendance at a Paul Graham talk and subsequent proposal inspired the creation of YC.
- Rejection and Adjustment: Their initial idea for a food ordering service via SMS was rejected, but Paul Graham saw potential in them as founders and encouraged them to reapply with a different idea.
- High Agency: Their persistence and willingness to travel and show up for opportunities were critical factors in their acceptance 3 4 5.
These stories highlight the importance of innovative approaches, persistence, and the ability to demonstrate value uniquely when applying to programs like Y Combinator.
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