YC's Formula for Startup Manufacturing
6 days ago
- #venture-capital
- #innovation
- #startups
- YC's original mission was to demystify startups, but as tech became more understood, it shifted towards mass-producing fundable startups.
- The Request For Startups (RFS) list evolved from problem-driven questions to consensus-driven ideas, reflecting VC trends rather than meaningful innovation.
- YC's batches now prioritize young, elite-educated, and Bay Area-based founders, reinforcing a normative startup culture.
- The Consensus Capital Machine drives startups to build what's fundable rather than what's important, stifling contrarian ideas.
- Hyperlegibility in tech has made startup paths predictable, reducing the need for independent critical thinking.
- Mission-driven founders and ideological purists are the antidote to normative startup culture, focusing on meaningful problems.
- Recent YC investments like Chad IDE highlight the rise of 'slop startups,' prioritizing profit over purpose.
- The tech industry needs discernment—building good tech, not just tech for tech's sake, anchored in strong beliefs.