Kevin Hale - How to Evaluate Startup Ideas

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Topics

0.00 - Why we're starting with evaluating ideas

1:25 - YC doesn't just fund companies with traction

2:50 - How can I predict if an investor will like my idea?

5:15 - A startup idea is a hypothesis

6:55 - The problem

10:55 - The solution

12:35 - The insight

14:00 - Founder's unfair advantage

15:00 - Market growing 20% a year

15:40 - Product 10x better

16:30 - Acquisition model

17:55 - Monopoly

18:50 - Threshold belief

19:10 - Miracle belief

20:10 - Example: YC

23:20 - Example: Wufoo

[ycombinator]

00:00 - Why we're starting with evaluating ideas
1:25 - YC doesn't just fund companies with traction
2:50 - How can I predict if an investor will like my idea?
5:15 - A startup idea is a hypothesis
6:55 - The problem
10:55 - The solution
12:35 - The insight
14:00 - Founder's unfair advantage
15:00 - Market growing 20% a year
15:40 - Product 10x better
16:30 - Acquisition model
17:55 - Monopoly
18:50 - Threshold belief
19:10 - Miracle belief
20:10 - Example: YC
23:20 - Example: Wufoo

[davidkuo]

Love YC, especially putting these materials online which may help tons of entrepreneurs who may not have the opportunities to be in the YC program.

[bobbyquinn]

I've been working full-time to stand up my startup for 2 YEARS. I've struggled with framing the problem/solution clearly in a way that appropriately conveys just how important what we're building really is. I've had investors hang on for a second, sometimes third meeting, but they indicate that they just don't understand the magnitude of the value. NO ONE has ever explained this problem as eloquently as Kevin did in this video! I had a HUGE "A-HA" moment while watching this. Not once. Not twice. THREE TIMES.

Every single new founder needs to watch this 3 times over. Thanks Kevin and YC for this. Can't wait to get through the rest of the videos.

[faisalzone]

I loved the way you mapped key points (problem, solution, insight) to individual parameters of success realization. While I was hearing the talk, i went like "Son of a gun! I never thought about it this way!" Thanks Kevin for keeping it simplified yet really insightful.

[muchcoffeeproductdevelopm]

Thanks for your open contribution to people's minds. It's great to deal with result-oriented startup owners who understand what they are looking for exactly.
We hope to see more videos soon! ❤️

[coolthought]

4:00 This way of thinking from Paul Graham... This is awesome, instead of focusing on the negative side of things, look at the positive side of things that how it can possibly win.

[KlaasFoppen]

Again amazing video! like said in the video, startup school last year was a bit more later stage (still really good) but focussing on the really early stage of startups e.g. ideas helps a lot.

[sherezaderuanosantana]

This is one of the greatest videos I have seen re: startups early stages. Every word you said has been incredibly valuable for my business/startup. Thank you so much for sharing this content.

[waltondornisch]

Instant and huge fan of YC...Thank you, Kevin!

[snippletrap]

All the YC people know what they're talking about. Hugely valuable resource just in this format, let alone getting customized support. Thank you YC for being awesome.

[alexandreazevedo]

Simple, objective, but so insightful! Thanks!

[tanvib.]

I am a big fan of Mr. Kevin Hale. Thank you for this session.

[BrendanMcAdams]

This is excellent! In 30 minutes, a perfect breakdown of how to think about start-ups and how investors think about them. Must watch!

[chrisjanwust]

Was searching for Pt. 2 all over YouTube. Then realized it was uploaded 3 days ago. Keen!

[Bolerophon]

Probably one of the best use cases why Youtube exists, great insightful video

[homehealthphysicaltherapy]

A brilliant read about this subject: Startup Opportunities: Know When to Quit Your Day Job by Brad Feld & Sean Wise

[ByDaniSimone]

I now have some work to do. Thanks for this!

[ragrago]

I love this Guy! literally He reinforced my hope in my idea!

[khushbupatel]

To the point and highly informative. Thanks for sharing this.

[thomasgassoul]

Thank you Kevin Hale! Valuable insights! Could you give a mic to the people asking questions?