YC Interview

1. FOCUS ON EARLY ADOPTERS

1.1. otherwise, it’s gonna be a mess

2. get the main benefits out, even if they don’t ask for it

3. don’t prepare too much

3.1. counterproductive if we seem to be too rehearsed...t

3.2. they wanna have people they like

4. inverse pyramid

4.1. expect to be interrupted after 3 words

5. 40-80 questions

5.1. 8-12sec

6. feel happy, high-energy and excited to pursue the opportunity

7. disagree with YC?

7.1. data

7.2. take it as a hypothesis to test

7.3. take it as a hypothesis to test

8. 1-2 sentences answer

8.1. impact of words go up the fewer words you say

8.2. just answer exactly what is asked about

8.3. acknowledge weakness in first sentence, bridge to strength in second sentence

9. CLARITY & CONCISENESS

9.1. Have a clear red path

9.2. make them follow a story

9.3. make them follow a story

10. if they’re hard: good sign

10.1. they actually care about the startup and don’t zone out

11. no buzzwords (AI, ...)

12. if you don’t know the answer

12.1. be honest

12.2. talk about how you would go and figure it out

13. potential deep drill on biggest weakness

14. don’t interrupt each other

14.1. “yes, and...” instead of “rather”/“but”

15. feel happy, high-energy and excited to pursue the opportunity