What is the core application process for Y Combinator?

Alright, let me walk you through the entire YC application process, trying to keep it as conversational as if we were just chatting.

Imagine applying to YC is like your startup participating in a "top-tier talent show." The whole process mainly consists of three steps: filling out the online application, shooting a video, and waiting for the interview.

Step One: Fill out the Online Application Form

This is the most fundamental and crucial step. YC's official website will have an application form with many questions, but at its core, they want to know three things:

1. Who are you? (Team): Introduce the founding team members, how you met, what exceptional experiences or skills you possess, and why you are the most suitable people to do this. YC places immense importance on the team, even more so than the project itself. They want to invest in 'people.'
2. What are you doing? (Project): Explain clearly and directly what your product does and what problem it solves for whom. Absolutely avoid using a bunch of high-level industry jargon. Just imagine you're explaining it to a friend, making them understand in one or two sentences.
3. How far have you gotten? (Progress): This is something YC values highly. You can't just have an idea; you need to have 'built' something. Even if your product is rough, even if you only have 10 seed users, that's fine. The key is to prove you have the ability to execute, that you're not just a dreamer. Be honest about how many users you have, your revenue, and user feedback. It's okay if the numbers aren't impressive; authenticity is what matters most.

Small Tip: When filling out the application, conciseness, clarity, and sincerity are king. Each answer should ideally be as short as a tweet. YC partners review a massive volume of applications daily, and no one has the patience to read lengthy dissertations.

Step Two: Shoot a One-Minute Short Video

Besides filling out the form, you also need to submit a one-minute founder introduction video.

The purpose of this video isn't for you to showcase cinematic filming skills. On the contrary, they want it to be 'raw' and authentic. You and your co-founders can find a quiet place and just shoot it with a phone. Each person should briefly introduce themselves and talk about the project you're working on.

Through this video, YC wants to see the 'chemistry' of your founding team, to see if you are normal, energetic, and communicate smoothly. So, be natural, don't memorize a script; just talk as if you're chatting with friends. Absolutely do not spend money hiring someone to add special effects or animations; that will definitely be a negative.

Step Three: The 10-Minute 'Lightning' Interview

If your application form and video impress them, you'll receive an interview invitation.

YC's interviews are very famous because they are only 10 minutes long. Yes, you read that right, just 10 minutes.

Interviewers are usually 2-3 YC partners. They will be in a video conference, asking you questions at an extremely fast pace. The questions will be very direct, such as:

• “So, what exactly do you do?”
• “How many users do you have?”
• “How did you acquire these users?”
• “How do you plan to make money?”
• “What's your biggest challenge?”

They want to determine in a very short time if you have a thorough understanding of your business, if your thinking is clear, and if you can react quickly.

Interview Tip: Your answers must be quick, accurate, and decisive. Give direct answers; don't tell long background stories. If they ask 'How many users do you have?', just answer '15,' then pause and wait for the next question. If they want more details, they will follow up.

Final Step: Awaiting the Results

After the interview, results come out incredibly fast. Usually on the same day, you'll receive a call or an email. If it's a call, congratulations, you've most likely been accepted. If it's an email, it's probably a rejection, and the email will usually briefly explain the reasons.

To summarize the key takeaways:

• Team above all else: YC invests in excellent founders. A good team can turn a bad idea into a success, while a bad team can ruin a good idea.
• Let actions speak: Don't just talk about how great your idea is; build something, even if it's small. This is 'Show, don't tell.'
• Be clear: Make sure you can explain your project in one sentence so that even a layman can understand it.
• Apply early: YC accepts applications on a rolling basis, so don't wait until the deadline to submit. The earlier, the better.

That's the whole process. It acts like a filter, quickly sifting out early-stage founders who are strong in execution, clear in their thinking, and have reliable teams. Good luck!