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[Ask HN] Applying to Y Combinator from outside the US - Some Questions

50 points by infoseckid ↗ HN
Hi Guys,

I am running a small startup based out of India which has got decent traction and is promising ;) in my mind.

I had a bunch of questions and I'd really be grateful if other YC company founders outside the US or anyone with the knowledge can help:

1. Lets say I get in and do a good demo day - is being based outside the US going to ward off potential investors?

2. Is it possible if I get a US investor (institutional or angel of good standing), then I can sponsor my work visa? and run my company in the US?

3. Can anyone who was initially based outside the US and has managed to get his company funded after YC and gotten a work visa as well - enlighten me about how it worked out?

I've been working day and night on my idea and just want to ensure I know what I am getting into.

Thanks Guys!

20 comments

[ 4.4 ms ] story [ 53.2 ms ] thread
brackin
I'm not a YC founder so I'm sure those that are will be able to offer some specific advice but I know plenty of YC founders that have gone through this and I'm from the UK and applying for Winter 2013.

1. Usually companies that haven't incorporated outside of the US will register as a US company. If your visa situation isn't completely sorted it can be a slight deterrent to some investors but not enough to put anyone off. Usually not because you're not from the US but because getting kicked out of a country can put a founder in a tough place. There are many YC companies that do it every year and guys like Joel and Leo (AngelPad) from BufferApp raised their seed round for a US company from top investors and while they get their visa they've based their company in other countries.

2. There is a Visa for Angel Investors but I don't believe there is a visa doing the opposite. Of course if you have a degree your options open up considerably. It is technically somewhat possible to sponsor your own H1B but since you're a founder of the company and major shareholder, I doubt this would be accepted.

3. A lot of people I know go for the O-1A visa. Which is for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement. If you can show getting into YC and success of your company has value to the US you will be able to say for up to three years at which point you can extend or look at your other options. It's not inexpensive or easy but is a good bet.

More info here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b...

Rain_maker
Get in touch with guys from interviewstreet.com.. they have been there, done that
MojoJolo
This question is also in my mind. Will tourist visa work for YC?
nchuhoai
That would be a question I have as well. AFAIK know, there it no Visa suited for YC unless you can do ESTA.
MojoJolo
Someone told me that you can't register a business or incorporate a company as a tourist. So maybe, tourist visa will not work for YC? Because AFAIK you need to be incorporated in YC, right?

Also, can you explain ESTA to me?

nchuhoai
coorperation doesn't matter what status you have. Your visa is only relevant whether you are allowed to work in the US or not. No non-immigrant visa allows you to work, the B-visa technically only allows you to have meetings etc.

ESTA is a an agreement with various countries for its citizens to enter the states for 3 months without a visa. Many people I know use ESTA to work in a grey-zone

mansigandhi
A non-citizen of the US can register a company in certain states (Delaware is the most common one). I'm an Indian Citizen and our company is a C-Corp there. I go back and forth on a Business Visa.
ig1
Various non-american founders have done US accelerators on ESTA and B1 visas.
matthewowen
And it is very fortunate that they weren't deported, and that it didn't harm their ability to get visas in the future.

Really. US immigration is more perverse and frustrating than you can imagine. You might be fine, but just because someone said 'I did this and it was OK' doesn't mean it will be. If you aren't sure, take legal advice.

Also, point of information, ESTA isn't a visa. They did it on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). ESTA is part of the process of entering on the Visa Waiver Program

ig1
A large number of founders have done this (in the hundreds now) and I'm not aware of anyone having a problem with it, even with people specifically stating what they were doing in the US (people however have had problems when they've described YC as an "educational program").

Moreover the visa waiver is used extensively by technology companies, investment banks and consultancies when having foreign employees work out of their US offices for short periods (upto several months).

Is it a legally airtight option ? - no. Is it in practice what everyone uses ? - yes.

infoseckid
I think a business visa would be more appropriate.
dschiptsov
I think you should follow the standard procedure first http://ycombinator.com/howtoapply.html so, make a video, fill the forms http://ycombinator.com/apply.html and submit them.

btw, in doing so you will clarify and refine your ideas, that is why they insist on this procedure. It saves not just their time, but your time and money.

Now a few things to consider. There are, of course, many people were relocated to work for, or create a startup in Valley. This is the crucial point - YC supports only US-based startups.

They have power, connections, influence and almost unlimited money in valley, but can't do anything outside US. There are other connected guys in other countries.) So, you will work for them in US or, if your idea is that good, will bootstrap your company in the US (with them as privileged stockholders).

There is no way they can finance any business outside US, and you should try to find a domestic investors.)

MojoJolo
Correct me if I'm wrong but is 9gag (YC 12) a Hong Kong based startup?
mattrichardson
This is not true. There are YC companies based outside the US. Songkick is the first that springs to mind, based in London.

IIRC, you can take your company back to any country (I'm sure they'll quiz you, why you think it's appropriate.) You will, however, need to move to SV for three months after a successful application and interview. After that, it's up to you..

taurussai
You can do it -- a few companies in my batch (W12) have done it and we have a large YC international community to help answer all your visa questions. Answering your first 2 questions (briefly):

1. Don't know -- my thoughts would be it depends on customers (if it is worldwide/local to India, team location etc.)

2. Yes, it is possible through H1b/O1 visa (a number of founders have done/doing it)

* Would recommend focusing on the application and interview -- the YC team,international YC founders community and recommended immigration law firms will help you once you are in...

rehack
Not directly related to your question. But hope this can inspire you :-)

"After being rejected by Drona[1] on account of his not being of Kshatriya lineage, Eklavya[2] embarks upon a program of self-study in the presence of a clay image of Drona. He achieves a level of skill superior to that of Arjuna, Drona's favorite and most accomplished pupil"

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drona

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekalavya

PS: If the anology is not self evident. PG/YCombinator is Drona in this case, and you are Eklavya

Edit: HN--> Ycombinator

infoseckid
Thanks taurussai and brackin - looks like there is hope ;) ! Let me just go ahead and submit the application.

rehack - I am Eklavya but to fight the fight, I need to go to my Kurukshetra! ;)

namit
Great question, cause I am in the same boat. One thing I was looking into was "Startup Visa", more info here: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f... The other thing was the E2 Visa, however for some unknown reason, it is not available to Indians due to lack of treaty. More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-2_visa As taurussai has mentioned, work on the application and interview and the amazing YC community can help sort out the rest. P.S. - If any of YC Community would be open to sharing how to make it work, it would be great for future YC candidates.