YC Demo Day, the Morning After | Distribution Hacks by Danielle Morrill

Apparently, this year it’s particularly in vogue to express a certain ennui about the batch of Y Combinator startups that presented at Demo Day.

As I checked in with investors and friends who attended the event, the overwhelming response was that there were tons of solid companies but nothing “amazing” or “10x”.

Even the tech press can’t seem to get behind one single company, instead making their obligatory “top 7” and “6 favorite” lists. This morning’s story in the Wall Street Journal confirms the overall sentiment:

Founders risk everything, move across the country or further, endure endless stress, damage relationships, sacrifice their health and pour their every waking moment into creating something people want — and they’re rewarded with a yawn.

If companies are too serious they’re boring, and if they’re too social then they’re fluffy and we’re headed for the next bubble. Fuck that noise.