I'm a single founder with an idea and a very early mvp with no traction but an idea on how it could be positioned/modified to be an interesting startup in a pretty hot area. If it moved forward (through YC or elsewhere) i have a team that i could put together that i think could then really move it forward.
Have you ever said 'we like you, and we think the idea has potential... put the team together and we'll back ya'?
I applied to TechStars with a 3 man team a few months ago. We had full time jobs but gave the above line- that we were willing to more seriously commit if we got into the program.
We didn't get in. They advised us that you can send a much stronger signal if you've already committed. The best indicator of future commitment to a startup is past commitment.
I don't really think of everyone else applying as competition. I'm more concerned with where I am, the ideas I have, and what I want to do with them. No one should let others' success be a reason not to do something
And now that I know I might meet Ashton Kutcher, I'm definitely going for it.
Have you ever said 'we like you, and we think the idea has potential... put the team together and we'll back ya'?