Which YC companies had the most traction before going into YC?

Posted by kkt262 on Sunday March 11, 2012 @08:41PM
from the self-post dept.

Just thought this would be an interesting thread. Which YC companies had significant traction prior to their acceptance into YC? (Revenue, Users, etc)

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Re:Which YC companies had the most traction before going int... by yurka on Sunday March 11, 2012 @11:27PM (#3692227)

Also, a related question: Has YC rejected applicants despite impressive early traction?

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Re:Which YC companies had the most traction before going int... by thong on Monday March 12, 2012 @11:41PM (#3696892)

I don't have examples, but I would think so.

In terms of product-market fit, great fit in a small market still limits potential success of a company in the absolute sense. (i.e. "dominating" the now-$5M a year "pog" milkcap industry)

That's why VC's sometimes look for startups that have seemingly strange ideas to "normals", but the potential to address problems in a massive market. Achieving product-market fit can take time, but doing so in a large market can mean more in the end. (i.e. Spanx - a "minor player" in the womens underwear sector when compared to Victoria' Secret)

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Re:Which YC companies had the most traction before going int... by staunch on Monday March 12, 2012 @09:54PM (#3696634)

Humble Bundle is one.

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Re:Which YC companies had the most traction before going int... by kkt262 on Tuesday March 13, 2012 @02:37AM (#3697283)

What kind of traction did they have?

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Re:Which YC companies had the most traction before going int... by staunch on Tuesday March 13, 2012 @04:33AM (#3697520)

They'd sold millions worth of games I think: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humble_Indie_Bundle

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