Ask HN: Funding options, what would you do?

[verelo]

We're in a situation that is actually quiet reassuring, but its raising some interesting questions which my partner and I are struggling to reach a decision on.

It looks like we're in good shape to potentially get funding from a Canadian based angel fund / incubator, in fact there may be a few of them interested in us. The funding is a little higher than YC, but we're not interested in the money as much as the experience that the group offers us. They have a 12 week program starting in the next 30 days, which we would be part of.

The goal for us since the beginning of this year has been to get into YC, but YC doesn't make a decision until after the Canadian incubator starts its program. Obviously this is on purpose and to be totally honest we're tempted to take a gamble and wait out for the YC answers anyway...

I've read a lot in the past about people saying "don't be fussy, some people don't get options" but...we might have them and we've worked very hard, i feel like being fussy is going to be a key success factor now and into th future.

What would you do?

[benologist]

Three things:

1) The girl who wants to get in bed with you is in almost 100% of cases better than the one on tv you'd prefer to get in bed with

2) Almost all applications get refused, working hard and believing in yourself doesn't distinguish you

3) If you still exist in 6 months apply to YC next time around from a much, much stronger position

[chrisacky → benologist]

> 2) Almost all applications get refused, working hard and believing in yourself doesn't distinguish you

But a strong application and a strong idea surely is a differential? If you have a solid idea, and a product, can you count on your application being viewed.

[verelo → chrisacky]

Both of the above comments are very useful...

I think our idea is great, i know we will be profitable in the near future...its just interesting to see the forks in the road appearing.

I guess we'll wait out and see if more information comes available. Next week is going to be a big one.

[31415]

I'd suggest going through the Canadian incubator and applying to YC in the cycle following the Canadian session

[verelo → 31415]

So this is actually interesting to think about. YC will accept a company that has already been through one program and accepted a small amount of funding?

I wasn't sure if this would be looked upon as a good thing or a bad thing to be honest with you.

Appreciate the dialog!