We learned three things:
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There are a large number of talented Black and Latino founders eager to make their startups a success (we didn’t see a pipeline problem).
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There is an incredible appetite for open office hours throughout the startup community. Founders from a wide range of backgrounds and countries reached out and asked to participate.
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Open office hours are an incredibly efficient way for us to get to know and help founders who don’t have access to great startup advice and mentors.
We believe that startups are often best at solving the personal problems of their founders. The more diverse the background of the founders we help, the more problems can be solved, and the more people who can be positively impacted by technology.
So, starting in January, we’ll be hosting Open Office Hours every month and each month, we’ll focus our outreach on a different community (under-represented minorities, vets, women, international founders, etc.). We’ll also open some months to anyone in the startup community.
Each company who participates will get a 20-minute office hours appointment with a YC partner. They can do them in person at our office in Mountain View, CA or remotely on Skype. Founders can ask questions, get advice, and grow their network. Additionally, Amazon is generously offering $5,000 in AWS credit for all participating teams.
We’re taking signups for Q1 starting today.
Check out the Q1 2016 schedule below.
Learn more and apply here: http://www.ycopenofficehours.com/
– Kat Manalac and Michael Seibel
PS: If you would like to help us spread the word please email: Kat@ycombinator.com or Michael@ycombinator.com
Q1 Open Office Hours Schedule
January 28: General Open Office Hours
All founders are welcome to apply.
Apply here
Deadline to apply: Jan 7
February 11: Veterans (VetTechTrek + YC)
VetTechTrek, an organization that helps military veterans connect to the tech community, will be leading a trip that includes stops at YC and some of our portfolio companies. The trek takes place in San Francisco and the Silicon Valley on Feb 10-11. YC partners will do office hours with Vets on Feb 11.
Apply to join VetTechTrek
Deadline to apply: Jan 21 – Applicants are selected on a rolling basis so there is a strong preference to apply early.
If you can’t make it to the trek in person, you can still apply for Vet Open Office Hours here.
Deadline to apply for office hours only: Jan 21
March 10 – International Founders
All founders from outside of the US, whether you are looking to sell in America or in your local market, are encouraged to apply.
Apply here
Deadline to apply: Feb 18
Coming:
April – Female Founders
May – Break
June – General
July – Black and Latino Founders