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Can YComb / TechStars help build a large sales / tech co? (Groupon / ZocDoc)

3 points by cgshaw ↗ HN
It seems like Y-Combinator, TechStars and the like are focused on building innovative technology that scales with few people. But some of the fastest growing companies lately are essentially new-age marketing / lead-gen businesses built on successful sales teams with minimum technology behind them (in the beginning at least).<p>Any thoughts on how these types of companies have fared in accelerators if some have started there?

1 comment

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staunch
One of YC's two biggest successes, Airbnb, is very much not a tech company (though design is important for them).

YC was a huge magnifier of Airbnb's success. With good advice for sure, but I believe what made the really big difference was the credibility and helping hand with press and investors.

My impression is that YC isn't comfortable with startups that aren't pure technology plays. They didn't even believe in Airbnb's idea -- they only funded them because they seemed especially determined.

So it's clear YC can help companies like this, but it's obviously somewhat of a blind spot for them. They're getting along okay though :-)