On: I am Sam Altman, President of Y Combinator – AMA

[johnewu]

Isn't raising money a form of validation of your product/idea

[pavornyoh → johnewu]

@Johnewu, No, it is not. There have been several companies that have done that and failed. Think Quirky, think Webvan among others.

Being able to make money, showing clear metrics of how that is going to be done, customers keep coming back etc.. is validation of your idea/product.

For example, if you told your parents you were going to start a company and they decided to help you with money, do you consider that a validation of your idea/product? I am curious to see your answer.

[ju-st → johnewu]

Getting paid by customers for you product is an even better form of validation :-)

But yeah it is, many people here have obviously fear of rejection because of this.