Photonic is a web based photo viewer for iOS and Android devices that provides the same photo viewing experience users are accustomed to when using native applications.
Photonic is a web based photo viewer for iOS and Android devices that provides the same photo viewing experience users are accustomed to when using native applications.
I've started this project because almost no web site (not even the photography-centric ones) offer close-to-native photo browsing. Most of them make you click the 'back' button or even open a new page for each image.
I didn't actually think about it like this. People wouldn't like an advert, they would "like" something they just purchased or intend to purchase (like a phone or a movie ticket).
Once they do that, their friends will see it and could go to the same site to do the same action (i.e.: buy the ticket themselves).
I don't think store owners will need to bid on ads, because they are not competing with anyone, and looking at it this way, I guess it's different than what you would call an "ad network".
Thanks for the address, I will take a look! I think the game-like mechanics should be used for this site as well, however, I have yet to determine how this will be done...
So a few weeks ago I registered a new domain name, startupsmap.com, where I want to, well, create a map of startups :)
For the initial version, I'm thinking about some simple and straighforward features, like allowing people to put their startup on the map and give some additional information about it (like if they're hiring, if they released something, a small description/keywords about what there'ye doing, etc...). Maybe even integrating with their blog or news room to highlight them on the map when something has changed...
Once this is done, people like me will be able to see what startups are in their area, what they're all about and even if they're hiring, to apply for a job! :)
Also, people with money to invest, will be able to check out the "new local ideas" and pay them a visit.
So, the whole reason for posting this here is to get your 2 cents on this idea... any constructive comment will be appreciated. Thanks!
I'm sure most of the people applying to YC did it for the contacts/network and not for the money or at least for some sort of valuable feedback from pg et all.
I was really surprised to see that the rejection e-mail we've got was an automatic "for all" message, when at least I would have expected some sort of feedback (even something like "your app/idea sucks, do something else").
The YC team must have made some sort of comments and side remarks for every application and if those are encoded in 0s and 1s then it would help a lot of the applicants to find what those remarks were. I'm even interested in the place we've got in the final rating, but I'm sure the guys on #31 would be very upset to find that out :)
So, my question: it is possible to get something like this? At least for future rounds...
I thought about asking too, but there were 420+ applications for this round and it might be not enough of a tradeoff to provide that feedback.
Other than the obvious problem of people using that information to try and "game" the application process, if I was accepted I would prefer to have YCombinator's full attention trained on helping the startups out and less on providing feedback to those who didn't make it.
EDIT:
I realize that sounds greedy. What I meant was that I didn't get accepted and I'd rather see YC spend their energy helping those who did get accepted.
You're over-estimating how much time they can spend on each of the written applications. There were hundreds.
I was impressed to learn that Paul personally speaks to each group that makes it to the interview, but is not accepted into the program. He does just what you're asking: explains why the group wasn't chosen and what they can do to improve the odds in the future or with other investors.
And, as another response to your post mentioned, there is no benefit to YC to enabling groups to game the application process. Everything, everything, everything you need to know about the process has been documented by Paul and many of the groups who've been through it (both accepted and declined).
But I'll sum up:
Build something people want. You need to prove you're building something people want. A "proxy for demand" is necessary if you're inventing something new, or evidence that users want what you're building rather than your competition if it already exists.
Be capable of building what you say you want to build. Link to a website or product that's in progress, or at least a website or product that you've built in the past. I get the impression from my brief exposure to the process that one of the more frustrating things for YC is seeing a smart group with a good idea, but without the obvious ability to execute. This is why they've discontinued requiring an "idea" on the application. Just prove that you and your team can build great things. If you don't have that evidence...why would they choose you when there are dozens of groups that do have evidence of building great things. This isn't school where each project stands alone. Show them your track record. There's space for it on the application.
That's pretty much it for the early process. Then you've gotta pull off a demo for the interview day, and show extreme passion for building a business. Very few no-demo groups make it into the program, and I believe the percentage is shrinking (and I suspect the ones that do get in without a demo have a long and fancy track record--I bet Zenter would have been in no matter what because they have a kick ass track record of building things people want, but they also had a killer demo that they'd built in the weeks prior to the interview). It can be partly mocked up, or carefully orchestrated to avoid the bugs, but they'll see through wholly fictional demos so don't try to fool them--these aren't your typical non-technical investors.
Any feedback will be greatly appreciated, thanks!