> You need help. The one thing all successful founders have in common is that they found help early on from people in a position to help.
Isn't that exactly what JL and PG have made a career doing?
Isn't that exactly what JL and PG have made a career doing?
Yes, YC was modeled on the help PG received from his friend Julian Weber in creating Viaweb. Weber gave him money, advice, and introductions to other rich people that invested more money. PG wasn't merely determined, he was also helped by powerful people. Without that help it's likely there would not be a YC. No YC, no Airbnb.
YC's very reason for existing is probably its most powerful advice and should be considered implicit with all their other advice: you need help.
Sorry, but I am not buying into the theory that "money just follows". That's a sweet pipe dream and all, but not a reality I'm familiar with.
If you want to be cynical, good PR would be a much better explanation than something involving taxes.