right now -the distraction of being buzzed by the blue angels while I'm trying to work!
More generally - we've not yet secured our visas but our E2 (foreign investor) application is in and we should be eligible as we've brought a chunk of money from the UK (you need a 'viable' amount - more for a factory, less for a coffee shop).
Culture is great and much better (and cheaper) than the UK. SF is a very positive place to be starting a company (Boston's not a whole lot better than London thoguh).
Not having a social security number us a royal pain and if you're not careful can sting you all over the place (like bank accounts). One of our founders had very good relations with his bank so we just about managed to get personal and business accounts but that can take a long time and you need one before you apply for your visa.
3 month stints are feasible but dangerous. We're on our second and I know others who've done three but who are definitely on the edge now.
As Gustav said, don't say you're getting paid - treat YC as a training programme and if you at all can then pay yourself through your home company. Don't lie to customs either though - our lawyer (who used to do visas for you tube and google advised that you're much better off being bounced honestly than having a lie highlighted during your actual visa interview.
All in, it's all just about possible (though we can confirm that for certain if and when our visa's get issued - the process takes 4 months and that's after you've sorted out your bank account, incorporation, investment etc) but tricky. It'll definitely sink a lot of time.
More generally - we've not yet secured our visas but our E2 (foreign investor) application is in and we should be eligible as we've brought a chunk of money from the UK (you need a 'viable' amount - more for a factory, less for a coffee shop).
Culture is great and much better (and cheaper) than the UK. SF is a very positive place to be starting a company (Boston's not a whole lot better than London thoguh).
Not having a social security number us a royal pain and if you're not careful can sting you all over the place (like bank accounts). One of our founders had very good relations with his bank so we just about managed to get personal and business accounts but that can take a long time and you need one before you apply for your visa.
3 month stints are feasible but dangerous. We're on our second and I know others who've done three but who are definitely on the edge now.
As Gustav said, don't say you're getting paid - treat YC as a training programme and if you at all can then pay yourself through your home company. Don't lie to customs either though - our lawyer (who used to do visas for you tube and google advised that you're much better off being bounced honestly than having a lie highlighted during your actual visa interview.
All in, it's all just about possible (though we can confirm that for certain if and when our visa's get issued - the process takes 4 months and that's after you've sorted out your bank account, incorporation, investment etc) but tricky. It'll definitely sink a lot of time.