When evaluating a startup application, YC looks for unique insights on user acquisition and the founder's competence. Having traction and a clear understanding of your market is crucial.

The YC application process emphasizes the importance of clearly expressing your startup idea to avoid missing out on opportunities.

In the early days of YC, I observed social cues during interviews, such as how well co-founders got along and their level of commitment.

I look for something unique or impressive in applications, whether it's the founders, traction, or the idea itself, to help tell a compelling story.

A strong YC application articulates the idea concisely, avoiding vague marketing jargon, and demonstrates a significant market opportunity.

When reviewing applications, I look for the founders' backgrounds, their idea, the current state of their product, and evidence of customer interest.

Applying to Y Combinator is worth it because it helps you organize and clarify your startup ideas through the application questions, which can lead to valuable insights.

If I could give one piece of advice to YC founders, it would be to engage with real users early on to gather valuable feedback, rather than perfecting the product in isolation. I think through what the world will look like if hundreds of thousands or millions of people were to use this product or service, which helps me imagine the future of the product.

We continue to filter for character in our interview process, even with multiple tracks now in place. When you meet a Y Combinator founder, you can trust them; they embody the culture of YC, which reflects the founders' values.