Getting into Y Combinator is just the beginning; many founders mistakenly believe that this achievement equates to success, but real impact comes from the work that follows.

The Y Combinator experience was invaluable; the community of motivated individuals and guidance from partners like Paul Graham helped us stay on course and saved us years of effort.

Many successful applicants to Y Combinator were not first-time applicants; getting comfortable with taking risks and applying even when you think you might not succeed is crucial for growth. Persistence shows character and can lead to success, so don't be afraid to pursue opportunities even if the odds seem low.

The guidance from Y Combinator partners is invaluable, as they have built successful companies and know how to scale a business effectively.

Joining Y Combinator turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made, especially as we faced severe financial challenges before receiving their support. Starting and running a company as a founder can be a very lonely experience, where you often feel responsible for everyone's future and only you know the reality of the low times.

After getting into Y Combinator, we made early-stage mistakes by hiring without proper culture fit vetting and dreaming too big without focusing on execution.

It's much harder for me as a Y Combinator partner to help someone who has followed questionable advice and dug themselves into a deep hole than to assist someone starting fresh with a blank slate.

My experiences have led me to become a group partner at Y Combinator, where I find joy in helping founders overcome challenges to bring their technologies to market.

At Y Combinator, we emphasize the importance of not dying as a startup, which means confronting the beliefs that could lead to failure.