Show HN: My post-YC-rejection start-up

by greglockwood on 12/6/2010, 6:54 PM with 15 comments

http://invincibilitee.com

Me and my co-founder submitted an app for YC W11, with a web site that would help college graduates figure out what jobs they could get with their chosen degree. We got a rejection email, and already had this as a back-up idea in case we did get rejected. So in the month between rejection and today, we found a printer, found some graphic designers, and got enough done that we felt comfortable with it as a first iteration. I know there aren't so many non-web app startups on HN, but I thought y'all might like to see how 2 guys rebounded from YC rejection.

  • by talbina on 12/6/2010, 7:12 PM

    You should design some shirts and submit them. Don't wait for users.

    http://www.invincibilitee.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=88

    Empty page.

    When Reddit was starting out, one of the founders was submitting stories all day for a couple of months, under different usernames. Just saying.

  • by talbina on 12/6/2010, 7:11 PM

    The stock photo with the Live Chat button. Please get rid of it, thanks.

  • by vabmit on 12/7/2010, 9:14 PM

    http://www.zazzle.com/ is already very dominant and vertically integrated in that space. Did you knowingly launch a clone? Or, think that this was an original idea? How do you hope to compete with them and the others doing the same thing? What's your value add?

    To me, this space seems too cots, low margin, and crowded, to even build a lifestyle business in. But, good luck!

  • by swanson on 12/6/2010, 9:02 PM

    I checked the FAQ briefly and didn't see this mentioned -- what happens in regards to the design rights of something I submit? I see that I get a royalty payment and a one-time lump sum, but do I retain the rights to my own design? Can I post it on your site and then sell it on my own site or another (Cafepress, etc). Or is part of the agreement that I am transferring ownership over to you guys?

  • by netmau5 on 12/7/2010, 6:32 AM

    Nice to see you're back at it again and weren't afraid to publish your first iteration. I prepared some feedback for you at http://www.sparkmuse.com/feedback/Invincibilitee, I hope you find it helpful.

  • by JPK5 on 12/7/2010, 8:10 PM

    Did you give up on your 1st idea just because YC rejected you?

    I've had a similar idea in the past, and I think there is a market for a such a site. I think it's a shame you gave up on something because of one rejection.

  • by greglockwood on 12/6/2010, 6:54 PM