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![rohanpaul_ai Avatar](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:24/cr:twitter::2588345408.png) Rohan Paul [@rohanpaul_ai](/creator/twitter/rohanpaul_ai) on x 73.5K followers
Created: 2025-07-08 05:35:36 UTC

A Y Combinator founder shares many insights about your YC application in this Reddit post.

- Write concise narrative answers so reviewers see problem and solution quickly.

- Show a growth mindset by openly discussing weaknesses, blindspots, competitors, and lessons learned.

- Frame YC as accountability to higher standards, not merely money or network access.

- Present a vision that can reach 1bn valuation or more, since smaller ambitions get passed over.

- Use a clear wedge, start with a niche pain point, win it, then let customers pull you into adjacent problems.

- Demonstrate traction through signed IOI, live pilots, and rapid learning, not just revenue numbers.

- Having a technical cofounder, sticky early users, and fast shipping greatly improves acceptance odds.

- Stewardship or alternative governance structures are fine if you incorporate as a US C Corp and do not let structure slow scale.

- Age, pedigree, and prior rejections do not matter, results and relentless execution do.

- Solo founders can succeed when they prove obsession, clarity, and early user love.

- Keeping a job is not fatal, but obsession and visible progress must outweigh any part-time constraint.

- Document concrete before and after behavior changes in customers to persuade investors.

- Traction beats vanity metrics, XX loyal users who rely on you beat XXXXXX sign ups who churn.

- Breakout growth comes from clear inflection points, so identify and fuel the channel that spreads without you.

- Focus on building something people will pay for today, even if held together with no code and manual work.

- State exactly how YC will accelerate you, such as accountability and faster learning.

- Pilots are paid learning loops, deep access with internal champions signals more than raw ARR.

- Prove the idea with duct taped MVPs first, talent and funding will follow once demand is clear.

- Insight from lived pain and execution speed beat prestigious degrees or resumes every time.

------

Source: reddit. com/r/ycombinator/comments/1ltw9p3/yc_founder_here_will_provide_thoughtful_advice_on/

![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GvT9wpxXwAAQlYh.png)

XXXXX engagements

![Engagements Line Chart](https://lunarcrush.com/gi/w:600/p:tweet::1942457518212452695/c:line.svg)

**Related Topics**
[money](/topic/money)
[mindset](/topic/mindset)
[reddit](/topic/reddit)
[stocks](/topic/stocks)
[y combinator](/topic/y-combinator)

[Post Link](https://x.com/rohanpaul_ai/status/1942457518212452695)

[GUEST ACCESS MODE: Data is scrambled or limited to provide examples. Make requests using your API key to unlock full data. Check https://lunarcrush.ai/auth for authentication information.]

rohanpaul_ai Avatar Rohan Paul @rohanpaul_ai on x 73.5K followers Created: 2025-07-08 05:35:36 UTC

A Y Combinator founder shares many insights about your YC application in this Reddit post.

  • Write concise narrative answers so reviewers see problem and solution quickly.

  • Show a growth mindset by openly discussing weaknesses, blindspots, competitors, and lessons learned.

  • Frame YC as accountability to higher standards, not merely money or network access.

  • Present a vision that can reach 1bn valuation or more, since smaller ambitions get passed over.

  • Use a clear wedge, start with a niche pain point, win it, then let customers pull you into adjacent problems.

  • Demonstrate traction through signed IOI, live pilots, and rapid learning, not just revenue numbers.

  • Having a technical cofounder, sticky early users, and fast shipping greatly improves acceptance odds.

  • Stewardship or alternative governance structures are fine if you incorporate as a US C Corp and do not let structure slow scale.

  • Age, pedigree, and prior rejections do not matter, results and relentless execution do.

  • Solo founders can succeed when they prove obsession, clarity, and early user love.

  • Keeping a job is not fatal, but obsession and visible progress must outweigh any part-time constraint.

  • Document concrete before and after behavior changes in customers to persuade investors.

  • Traction beats vanity metrics, XX loyal users who rely on you beat XXXXXX sign ups who churn.

  • Breakout growth comes from clear inflection points, so identify and fuel the channel that spreads without you.

  • Focus on building something people will pay for today, even if held together with no code and manual work.

  • State exactly how YC will accelerate you, such as accountability and faster learning.

  • Pilots are paid learning loops, deep access with internal champions signals more than raw ARR.

  • Prove the idea with duct taped MVPs first, talent and funding will follow once demand is clear.

  • Insight from lived pain and execution speed beat prestigious degrees or resumes every time.


Source: reddit. com/r/ycombinator/comments/1ltw9p3/yc_founder_here_will_provide_thoughtful_advice_on/

XXXXX engagements

Engagements Line Chart

Related Topics money mindset reddit stocks y combinator

Post Link

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