Re:If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
by pg on Thursday March 10, 2011 @02:12PM
(#2310301)
No, it's not a problem. This happens to lots of startups even after we fund them.
If you can talk intelligently about why your previous project isn't working, that's actually a point in your favor.
Re:If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
by bdclimber14 on Thursday March 10, 2011 @06:27PM
(#2311263)
A startup is a unique endeavor where failure is generally viewed as a positive experience.
Getting fired from a job hardly looks good on a resume, but having a failed startup under your belt is almost seen as a badge of honor.
Re:If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
by nbashaw on Friday March 11, 2011 @09:14AM
(#2313348)
True, but it's conditional. It's only seen as a badge of honor if you learn from your mistakes and can talk openly about what went wrong. Otherwise, you come off as defensive (and therefore insecure).
Luckily, I think a community that makes it okay to fail encourages people to not be defensive. They know they won't be labeled a "loser", that they still have a chance to make it.
Re:If you're applying this cycle: How to Apply to Y Combinator
by bdclimber14 on Saturday March 12, 2011 @02:53AM
(#2316323)
I agree wholeheartedly here. I've seen that communities which shuns failure are filled with people who disguise failure and twist outcomes to make them appear as huge successes in order to achieve bragging rights and consulting gigs.
What's your view on a founder of startup that's relatively young (6-12 months) but with some traction applying to YC with an idea for a completely different startup?
Would you consider it a negative that they're quitting on their earlier startup?