falun wrote:

Y Combinator is a new kind of venture firm specializing in funding very early stage startups. We help startups through what is for many the hardest step, from idea to company.

We invest mostly in software and Web services. And because we are ourselves technology people, we prefer groups with a lot of technical depth. We care more about how smart you are than how old you are, and more about the quality of your idea than whether you have a formal business plan.

Very cool concept, the deadline for their second batch of funding is past but there's always next time. Basically they provide you all the money you need to survive for a few months during which you do nothing but work on developing a prototype and business plan -- in return they have an investment in your company should it succeed.

sounds more like a puppy farm

flynn23 wrote:
sounds more like a puppy farm

Define?

Decius wrote:

flynn23 wrote:
sounds more like a puppy farm

Define?

From time to time, early stage incubators or angel networks tend to prey on the young, energetic, and inexperienced technical class. So sure, they might fund you for a few months to do nothing but craft your idea into something, but I'm sure they'll also take an 80% equity stake as well with unfavorable terms for the entrepreneur.

I think it's best if people who have great ideas but little experience in developing them or turning them into a business to seek out people that they can trust to help them hone the idea. Having 'money people' do this for you can yield poor results and I believe stunts the development of potentially brilliant entrepreneurs.