Seems like the RIAA is ALWAYS accusing someone of something. Organizations really show their focus and true colors when their power and strong hold is threatened. Control is a powerful and dangerous thing. Especially when someone else threatens it, even if it is for the greater good of the people and promotes their ability to choose.
I received the same exact letter lastyear for my music related startup. Word for word. You can email them directly to get more detailed info on exactly why they rejected you. I did it and got some good feedback.
Thanks for the encouragement. We will see the outcome in 6 days. Im confident in my statup, and hopefully YC will see the opportunity as well. We are working hard and creating something special.
I too could see how some applicants would feel uneasy about this decision. Considering these are smart and savvy founders that are not investors in the applicants. Good thing YC is offering the "unapply" option for applicants. For example, the founders of http://www.thesixtyone.com, if they so happen to read my application, a lightbulb may go off in their heads. But as YC has stated, they have agreed to stop reading apps if there is competition. And will keep confidential. Therefore, I will be keeping my application entered. No guts, no glory. Could be looked at as a greater risk has been entered into the equation. But it could actually be a positive thing. I will be taking my chances in aspirations for a strong future partnership with YC.
Good point. That new Cavs Chinese ownership can definately be capitalized on, and their is a lot of Global money to be made from that deal. They loved him in China during the 08' Olympics in Beijing. Will be exciting to see what he's gonna do come next summer. Europe, Stay with the Cavs, NYC, Jersey (Brooklyn), etc. His options are endless. At one point, I thought the Jersey move was out because the team was having so much financial trouble with the possible Brooklyn move. But now with the new Russian ownership, along with his relationship to part-owner and friend, Jay-Z, that may be a viable option again.
I guess Lebron didnt have his wish come true of becoming the 1st Billion dollar athlete. But he's got many more years to come. Im sure he will surpass that number. As it is whatever his new contract is after this season, and whereever it is, is going to be worth a ridiculous amount. Try the possibility of a $50 million per year deal with a European team. Not to mention the Nike deal, the movie being released this year, the management company, a profitable and public relationship with the greatest rapper on the planet (Jay-Z), and many more endorsements. Who knows, maybe he'll be the first $2 billion dollar athlete. He taking a page from the book or "Jordan". Brand yourself, and take away from the game, more than just championships, and shoes. But a name that is worth even more.
Its like his friend Jay-Z said, "Im not a businessman, Im A Business, man."
I find it funny that the author of this blog did not include his own school, The University of Cincinnati, at which he is the Associate Dean of faculty at their school of law. As if Cincinnati would be on the list of "25 Most Safe Colleges in America". Yeah right. I bet you'll think twice about taking a night class there.
Clearly you dont know. Somehow "ErrantX" was able to get the jist. But you seem to have missed it. Regardless of what kind of company it is really. New, old, startup, whatever. The extremely simple point here is that feuding destroys working relationships, no matter what way you choose cut it. And PG says this in his article, in black and white That this is what he dislkes the most about startups. And therefore the two are related. Who cares what stage the company is in. If it is a partnership or whatever. The notion applies to all. You missed the point. Read the article.
I agree. A complete waste of money if you ask me. An expensive, fake gesture to seem as if they are actually trying to educate the youth, instead of simply complianing about not getting their cut as they always do. And at the same time, in recent news, they have forced Pandora to pay royalties. Cover up.
"thedark", is the username of the previous poster. Not an actual reference to anything regarding this post itself. Looks like you got the wrong message.
The reason for low sales outside major labels, is the fact that there are no outlets for unsigned musicians that are worthwhile, and major labels regulate what you hear, and who is heavily promoted. And therefore, the competiton is not level. Unsigned musicians cannot afford expensive studio time to record, have little avenues to promote and sell, and therefore just cant compete. The indie market is a "disaster" as you put it, because major labels, the RIAA and FCC keep it that way on purpose. Who wants an area of business to succeed and compete, if they cannot get a piece of that revenue? No one.
Now how about Digg has done for news, and YouTube has done for music? Leveled the playing field, and taken some of the wind out of the sails of major media. And put more power in the hands of the consumer, and allow then to choose whats best in music. Not tell them what you want them to listen to.
Unfortunately, no doubt these numbers do not count non-label/unsigned record sales as "thedark" mentioned. This is due to the fact that according to major labels and the FCC, these numbers don't count, simply because they don't receive a cut of those sales.
Once we develop a legitimate platform for unsigned musicians to use and compete with the major labels, their artists, and the money they make. Then we will begin to see some numbers that include unsigned artists. Because once they begin to make competitive noise, the labels and FCC will certainly try to begin to get involved and want to regulate as they always do. But as long as the independent artist stays technically "unsigned", there's nothing the regulators can do to control the music, or get a piece of the earnings.
Once we see this happen, those downloaded album and singles sales numbers rise dramatically. Force the RIAA to count you. Record and be heard.
The article talks about fueding between company founders, stright from Paul Graham. Read the previous post. That link is just a reference if you want to check out the article.
YC stresses the importance of company founders having a positive working relationship, and in his INC magazine interview, Paul Graham himself spoke on his previous dealings with YC startups where company founders fueded and didnt get along. He spoke about how that alone can derail a company, and how it is a basic pain in his neck.
On the YC application it states, "How long have the founders known one another and how did you meet? Have any of the founders not met in person?" This is not done by accident. So how in the world are you going to host, critique, and try to provide opportunities for new startups to get noticed and succeed, if you cant even get along yourself? This is ridiculous. Lead by example.
Maybe th TechCrunch50 founders need to read that INC magazine article.
The best way is to actually create jobs (i.e., provide earning opportunities for the consumer), via your product or service. This helps to develop additional sales in the long-term from those earnings, as well as the all important "brand loyalty", in a recession. Take a note from what sites like http://www.ideaoffer.com, and http://www.udorse.com are trying to do. But kick it up a notch.
In response to "Learn to Relish the Door Slam", a setback is a setup for a comeback. Keep plugging at your entreprenurial dreams, and you will get there. Use those door slams as a learning experience. Each time someone says NO, implement their advice, and submit again.