All Segments
When to Launch Your Startup and When to Wait
10 segments available
Step inside the group partners' lounge to hear Y Combinator Partners Harj Taggar, Michael Seibel and Brad Flora discuss how startups should approach launching and the exceptions to the rules. Apply to Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/apply/ Work at a startup: https://www.ycombinator.com/jobs Chapters (Powered by https://bit.ly/chapterme-yc) - 00:00 - Inside the partners' lounge 01:00 - Why don't startups like to launch early and move quickly? 01:30 - What is fast? 02:18 - V1 of Instacart 03:18 - V1 of Brex 03:59 - Founders perfect launch and why can't they move fast? 05:54 - What's the worst case scenario? What founders are afraid of? 07:42 - V1 of Magic 08:08 - Devils advocate 08:39 - Rippling 10:33 - Zenefits 11:42 - Founders common trap 12:34 - Wrap-up #ycombinator #startup #launch
Segments Timeline
The Launch Fantasy
Michael, Harj, and Brad discuss the unrealistic expectations founders have about launching their startups. They compare the launch to an Oscar ceremony, emphasizing that many founders believe they need to be perfectly prepared and presentable, which can lead to hesitation in launching.
"i think this is image founders have of the launch which is it's going to be like the launch and it's going to be like the oscar ceremony or something where there's just going to be like hordes of peop..."
Understanding 'Fast'
The partners delve into why startups struggle to launch early and move quickly. They highlight the importance of understanding what 'fast' truly means in the startup context, contrasting it with the slower pace of larger companies and sharing insights from their experiences with various founders.
"why don't startups like to launch early and move quickly hard to be honest this is painfully obvious advice right this is you know yc paul graham 101 like no one applies to yc not knowing this is what..."
Instacart's Rough Start
The discussion shifts to the early version of Instacart, illustrating how the founders launched with a very basic product that was 'hacked together.' They emphasize the importance of getting a product out quickly, even if it isn't perfect, to start learning from real user feedback.
"ball game fast means you have to be a little bit uncomfortable what's going out there you know you were talking about instacart before what are you what how dirty did instacart look back in the day wh..."
Brex's Minimal Viable Product
The partners contrast Instacart's launch with Brex's initial offering, which lacked a user interface. They discuss how Brex's founders focused on functionality over presentation, highlighting the different approaches startups can take when launching their products.
"the exact opposite like when they come in to tell their story at their batch there was no ui like they could give you a virtual credit card and like it worked but that was it you couldn't see what you..."
The Perfect Launch Myth
Brad discusses the common trap founders fall into when they aim for a 'perfect launch.' He explains how this mindset can lead to delays and anxiety, as founders often envision an idealized reaction to their product that may not align with reality.
"perfect launch and why they maybe can't move fast well i think the minute anyone starts making something they start thinking about the moment when they show it to people and what they want the reactio..."
Fears of Launching
The partners explore the fears that founders have regarding their product launches, including concerns about negative feedback and competition. They encourage founders to confront these fears and recognize that the worst-case scenarios are often manageable.
"case scenario like what how do you like how do you think about that like what do you think founders are afraid of like what do you think is like their worst vision of a launch so i think they're afrai..."
The Magic of Quick Launches
Michael shares the story of Magic, a startup that launched just two days after its inception. This example illustrates the value of getting a product out quickly to learn from users, reinforcing the idea that speed can lead to valuable insights.
"and when they came up with the idea of magic they launched two days later and it was just a website with a phone number and it just said text us and we'll do whatever you like and like to me like that..."
Devil's Advocate: The Exceptions
The partners address the common counterarguments from founders who cite successful companies like Dropbox and Rippling as examples of slow launches. They discuss the nuances of these cases and emphasize that such exceptions are rare and often involve unique circumstances.
"i think that i when rippling was going through yc they took close to like a year and a half or more maybe it was two years to sort of officially launch um and it turned out to be right actually the co..."
Learning from Experience
Brad reflects on the importance of experience in launching products. He shares insights about how founders can benefit from their past experiences and the need to balance thoroughness with speed when developing new products.
"year and a half in fact he's one of the i think the greatest examples of what we were talking about earlier i remember when i was working on my company in san francisco he emailed me out of the blue w..."
Final Thoughts on Launching
In the wrap-up, the partners encourage early-stage founders to embrace the advice shared throughout the discussion. They stress the importance of launching quickly and iterating based on feedback, urging founders to take action rather than waiting for the perfect moment.
"one of the things i love to encourage founders to do is to go back to um something like github and go to the blog and go to the beginning of the blog you know 10 years ago or whenever and and look at ..."