So I am in a little bit of a dilemma as I applied to YCombinator's program on a whim (literally throwing together an application in 30 minutes on the day of the application deadline). Then I just received a request yesterday to present. The idea behind my application isn't CoNotes, but an idea that came to mind as I was having a discussion with an administrator at the San Francisco Unified School District--the idea had to do with education technology. I guess I thought of the application as my (free) first market validation study. Haha.
I wasn't really expecting anything out of the application because unlike most applicants:
- I have not started development
- I have no demo
However, I do have 11 years of experience in startups, 4 years of experience in the education technology world, several high level contacts in the education industry, and know how to code. I'm assuming these traits are why the YCombinator folks are a little intrigued.
Now I have to make a decision as to what to do. I certainly do not want to waste anyone's time listening to me ramble about a business idea I haven't really thought through. I also don't know if I have the time to prepare something reasonable to present.
Any thoughts?
3 comments:
Well you've got 10 days. I'm sure you can whip up a functional feature prototype in RoR, no?
Or if you're more proficient in Photoshop, I'd make a series of mocks showing the states (obviously not as impressive as a demo).
If you don't have the Photoshop skills, you can always put a bid on www.crowdspring.com and provide the specs. Hopefully someone will create it within your deadline.
1 to 2 days uber intensive product brainstorm.
Switch off email and all outside access, phones etc. Pen, pad or your prefered brainstorming equipment (I like red paper with blue ink - i know, go figure).
Check results - good progress? Great product? Commit.
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