All Segments
Y Combinator Is Back In Person
10 segments available
Dalton Caldwell and Michael Seibel provide an update on the upcoming Summer 2022 batch along with the changes and trends they've noticed in the startup world today. Apply to Y Combinator: https://yc.link/DandM-apply Work at a Startup: https://yc.link/DandM-jobs #startups #business #tech Chapters (Powered by https://bit.ly/chapterme-yc) - 00:00 - Intro 00:29 - In-Person events 02:14 - Summer 22 batch trends 03:04 - Hype cycle 05:03 - Tech relocation 06:57 - Where the action is 08:04 - Economic downturn 09:35 - Sober analysis 11:03 - New standard deal 14:24 - Old standard deal 16:36 - Guiding principle 17:53 - Alumni audience
Segments Timeline
Excitement for In-Person Events
Dalton Caldwell and Michael Seibel express their enthusiasm for the return of in-person events for the Summer 2022 Y Combinator batch. They discuss the significance of meeting founders face-to-face after a long period of remote interactions, highlighting the planned in-person retreat and weekly meetups.
"we have a grand nefarious strategy of giving founders what we wish we had when we were a founder yeah it's like what would i have wanted yeah like that's certainly how i think about this this is micha..."
Trends in Startup Applications
Caldwell and Seibel discuss the increasing number of applications for the Summer 2022 batch, noting a trend towards more technical teams. They emphasize that founders motivated by genuine excitement to build and solve problems are still applying, even in a challenging economic climate.
"it's a a breath of fresh air um i've been spending a lot of time in this little room much as probably you have to so yeah this is it's it's really fun i'm excited me too me too so let's talk about wha..."
Navigating the Hype Cycle
The conversation shifts to the current hype cycle in the startup ecosystem. Caldwell and Seibel analyze how the hype can create challenges for founders, making it harder to hire and access customers, while also discussing the strategic advantages of entering the market during downturns.
"the summer 22 batch yeah i mean let's see to go through some of the stuff i've noticed so for one um more applications um i think that's that's i think that's always a trend but there's definitely mor..."
Tech Relocation Trends
Caldwell and Seibel explore the trend of tech professionals relocating back to major hubs like San Francisco. They discuss the reasons behind this shift, including the desire for community and collaboration, and how many founders prefer to be part of a vibrant startup ecosystem.
"let's say three four months what are you seeing overall in our world i think that people that want to do a startup because they're excited about building something and solving stuff for users those pe..."
The Impact of Economic Downturns
The duo reflects on how economic downturns can create opportunities for startups. They highlight that some of the most successful companies were founded during challenging times, encouraging founders to adopt a proactive mindset and seize the moment.
"more interest in san francisco and like i don't know like that's a dirty word i'm not sure if i'm allowed to say the term san francisco because we all know the tech world doesn't exist here anymore ri..."
Sober Analysis of Startup Viability
Caldwell and Seibel discuss the importance of conducting a sober analysis of one's startup in light of economic changes. They emphasize that smart founders should assess their specific situations and make informed decisions rather than reacting to external pressures.
"college grad i think what's so hard for a lot of people to see is that if you're a recent college grad you don't want to stay in the city you went to school in um you might be living with your parents..."
Introducing the New Standard Deal
The conversation shifts to the new standard deal for Y Combinator founders. Caldwell explains the rationale behind this change, emphasizing the need for startups to be fully funded upon acceptance to ensure their sustainability in a fluctuating market.
"something that i think is becoming part of the culture of yc where we want to talk up to our founders versus down to our founders like we want to talk to the smartest kid in the class not the dumbest ..."
The Old Standard Deal vs. New
Caldwell and Seibel compare the old and new standard deals, discussing how the new deal allows for less dilution for founders. They highlight the benefits of this approach in empowering startups to secure necessary funding with greater confidence.
"that was big news over the past um four months and it's interesting because i think that in some ways um it was conceived of competitively people were looking at the yc standard deal being like oh lik..."
Guiding Principles for Founders
The duo reflects on the guiding principles of Y Combinator, focusing on providing founders with what they wish they had when starting out. They discuss the importance of leveraging their experiences to create a supportive environment for new entrepreneurs.
"seed funding could dilute companies 25 30 even 35 i would say in more recent years that number was around 15 to 20 percent but we really saw a lot of founders able to get the money they need raise the..."
Engaging with Alumni
Caldwell and Seibel conclude by discussing the positive feedback from Y Combinator alumni regarding their recent communications. They express excitement about the upcoming alumni event and the importance of maintaining connections with past founders.
"they're watching these videos like how much has that come up for you in the last six months since we got this thing rolling a lot i think when we first started recording these my perception i wasn't r..."