Offer HN: Mock YC interviews
We're still very far from being successful, but Retool wouldn't have gotten anywhere near this far without YC. I'm endlessly grateful to everyone there. If you're wondering whether or not to do YC, feel free to ping me anytime (email in profile). I think the answer is easily "yes" for most first-time founders.
When we first applied to YC, we were "outsiders". We had went to uni in the UK, where startups were much less popular. And I remember cold emailing every YC alum (I could find) from the UK to get them to do a mock interview with us. Many agreed (thank you, Tom, Joe, David, and Justin), and without them, we wouldn't have gotten in to YC.
It's a weekend here in SF, and I'm around for most of today and tomorrow. I know there are people with YC interviews coming up soon, and I'd love to help you prepare. Just email me (email in profile), and I'll send you a calendly link where you can book a time to chat. If you're in SF, I'm happy to buy you a coffee too.
Besides nostalgia (I remember preparing for my own YC interview!), a desire to help, and a fairly free weekend, I have no other motivations. I will be honest and upfront with my feedback.