The YC application is short, blunt, and read fast. Framework for writing the answers that trigger an interview — and the video.
The YC application is deceptively short. Partners read hundreds per batch and decide interview-or-pass in minutes. Every word has to work — and most applications waste half of them.
Skim the one-liner first. If it's interesting, read the founder section. If the team is credible, read what you're building and traction. Non-obvious insight in the first two answers is what triggers a full read.
Write it as: '[company] is [product] for [customer].' No adjectives, no market language. Test: could a smart friend describe your company from that sentence alone. If not, rewrite until they can.
Concrete, specific, verifiable. Names of companies, roles, technologies you built, degrees. Skip the 'passionate about' language. Include the story of how the founders met and why they're the right team for this problem.
Describe the product in plain language — what a user does, what happens next, what problem it solves. If you can't describe it in 3 sentences, the problem is the product, not the writing.
Specific numbers over adjectives. '43 paying customers, $12K MRR, growing 30% month-over-month' beats 'strong early traction.' If you have no revenue, use engagement metrics that indicate real usage.
One minute. Laptop webcam is fine. Every founder speaks. Show energy and clarity — not production value. The video is a personality signal, not a marketing piece.
Long, jargon-heavy answers. Vague market sizing instead of concrete customer stories. Missing traction section. Video where only one founder speaks. Applying with a co-founder you met a week ago.
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