@mynu OP I think your approach is a great way to gain clarity and will make you a better founder and leader.
I’m assuming you are doing these applications in ADDITION to talking with users and building product. And using the application questions to guide your conversations with users, market research, and building product. Is that right?
Yeah, anyone can make the argument that you need to be hyper focused on building the product and talking with customers. And this is valid.
I’m a founder that is hyper focused on building product and talking with customers.
But along the way, I’ve had these two thoughts:
1. I was never ‘forced’ to think about my startup in the eyes of the investors. It was only when I applied for YC that I was able to gain clarity on my startup. All the information was there and the work was done, but the questions in the application helped me to gain clarity. So I think it’s a positive thing for you to be doing these applications and getting clarity on your startup and learning how investors evaluate your startup.
- We could’ve went for funding a lot sooner and if/once secured, moved a lot faster and been even further along. It’s a ‘what if’ now.
All in all, interesting approach and I hope it works out. Keep us posted on your learnings, I’m sure we’ll all benefit!