I'm not entirely sure why this is worth posting up on the front page...
Ideas are everywhere. Even groundbreaking, "hard" ideas (e.g. Calculus) can occur in several places at once. Certainly, a flash game widget is not a new idea and is being implemented by dozens of start-ups at this point in time. The fact that two of them were connected with YCombinator is neither surprising nor inappropriate.
This is a good example of why VCs never sign NDAs, basically. The chances of this stuff happening by chance (rather than malice) is way too high.
It sounds trite, perhaps, but it's worth repeating that ideas are just one ingredient in a successful start-up. Execution, timing, people, choice of technology, marketing... all those are just as important, if not more.
'Even groundbreaking, "hard" ideas (e.g. Calculus) can occur in several places at once. '
Indeed. The RSA algorithm - the basis for online commerce - was parallel thought by two different teams of security researchers years apart, first by GCHQ (part of the British government) then by RSA.
Indeed - plus when people link comments as topics it confuses the hell out of me.
Your last line hits the nail on the head - It's an impossibility for YC to give a detailed rejection to everyone, it's also impossible to second guess why you might have got rejected (if you could, you'd have most likely rejected the idea yourself).
Rejection sucks - in this circumstance, the best thing for the OP to do is - take a deep breath - (try to) do a rational 360 degree on themselves, their team and their idea - and move on/forward/upwards.
Ideas are everywhere. Even groundbreaking, "hard" ideas (e.g. Calculus) can occur in several places at once. Certainly, a flash game widget is not a new idea and is being implemented by dozens of start-ups at this point in time. The fact that two of them were connected with YCombinator is neither surprising nor inappropriate.
This is a good example of why VCs never sign NDAs, basically. The chances of this stuff happening by chance (rather than malice) is way too high.
It sounds trite, perhaps, but it's worth repeating that ideas are just one ingredient in a successful start-up. Execution, timing, people, choice of technology, marketing... all those are just as important, if not more.