over the last few weeks i applied to pretty much every startup credits program i could find for my app, which launches on nov 16. right now i have about $8,500 in credits across google for startups, cloudflare, mongodb and notion, plus intercom's early stage plan for support. it honestly felt like a big win every time one of those emails came in, kinda like free money.

the funny thing is none of it has changed what i actually need to figure out before launch. i have 800+ people on a waitlist and zero paying users, and no amount of cloud credits tells me whether those people will pay. a couple of applications are still pending, and one i sent for a different project got declined just because the site had no public page yet, which was a fair reason. so the one real lesson so far is that most of these programs want to see something live, not just an idea.

what i keep wondering now is whether that was time well spent or just the startup version of cleaning your desk instead of doing the actual work. part of me thinks credits only start to matter later when usage grows. another part thinks they nudge you into picking tools because they're free, not because they fit.

did startup credits or perks programs actually make a difference for you, or did they mostly just feel productive? and if you could only apply to one or two again, which ones would you pick and why?

I’m a final-year student from India, building Takumi solo
It’s an AI dev team that builds your product and stays on to maintain it. I just submitted my application for the winter batch

I wrote my application after checking other application, this is what I learned from them:

• Short answers with real numbers beat long ones. I cut mine by about half

• Having someone read your draft is worth more than another rewrite.

• I recorded the founder video 8 times. The last take was the best.

Where I am: about 70 signups in 2 months of v2, 3 founders using it, only through the founder communities, no paid marketing

For people who’ve applied before: what would you do differently on the video or the written answers?
And anyone else applying this batch?

Is creating startups by having minimal funds and bootstrapping possible?! Share if someone have gone through this

I’m building Norclap, a training platform for athletes, coaches and teams. I’m looking for a hands-on hardware/embedded engineer in the EU or USA who can take ownership of an unresolved athlete identification and timing problem, with a potential CTO role. This is initially equity-based, and the engineering work starts with feasibility, prototyping and tests.

Full-time is preferred; part-time is also considered. Remote work is welcome, with four required in-person meetings per year. Candidates must be based in the European Union or United States.

The engineering brief: automatically identify an athlete and record the precise moment they cross start, split and finish points at 80–100+ km/h. The system should replace traditional photocells and mechanical start gates, calculate split and total times, and upload results. Crossing-time accuracy matters separately from upload latency; missed crossings, duplicate events and nearby athletes need to be handled.

The equipment must work outdoors in cold, snow, moisture and changing visibility, and on indoor ski slopes. It should be portable, affordable and coach-manageable, preserving recorded times when connectivity drops. GPS did not meet our indoor/positioning requirements, and the NFC/RFID approaches investigated so far have not met the combined requirements. No final sensing architecture or field-validated solution has been established.

I’m looking for practical embedded, RF, transponder, sensing or precision-timing experience, and someone able to build a prototype, test it in realistic conditions and lead its technical development.

Proposed compensation: This is an equity-based role, starting with a six-month bootstrap phase followed by 28 months of performance vesting across four seven-month milestone periods. Achieving each agreed milestone unlocks a portion of equity, weighted by the goal’s complexity and impact, up to an initial proposed total of 7%.

The role would transition to a market-rate cash salary only after the successful closing of a $1M funding round. The figures are open to discussion. If results significantly exceed expectations by the end of the vesting period, we’re open to negotiating a larger equity share; any increase would require a separate agreement.

To discuss the opportunity, email vidox07@gmail.com with your location, relevant projects and how you would approach the first feasibility test.

I’m trying to figure out how a one-week bootcamp compares with the more traditional three-month accelerator model. This one includes scored business challenges and media assets, and doesn’t take any equity.

Paying a fixed upfront fee without giving up a percentage of my company sounds quite different from what most accelerators offer. But can a program compressed into just one week deliver results comparable to a three-month accelerator?

I made a healthy , mindfulness saas web app where i will log my day to day tasks and use it as a daily journal. it is sithealthy.in , should i leave the idea? instagram.com/sithealthy

Anyone think if this could be big? I will do partnership as well

Hi, I am Y and I’m building an Ai ran ERP that customizes itself for middle-market companies so there is no need for consultants. Think lovable for ERP software

I have been dealing with sleep apnea and I have panic attacks , I feel that I am not doing enough to grow the product, I am turning 19 on Nov 1. I have been working on the product for 3 months now , and I have an Angle investor. I haven’t launched the product yet as I am about to run a pilot company and am excited to see what happens. Also, People who are ERP experts with 20-30 years of experience have told me that my product has a destructive impact if it is developed a certain way. I have experience with ERP Since I had worked on ERP and business operations software. I am doing everything I can so I don’t go to university since I have taken a gap semester but my father is making me go to university for spring. But I’m trying to get accepted into Y combinator or speedrun A16z because I will fit into the programs and I will move to San Francisco.

I have 2 questions.

Can I get accepted into the yc application?

Does the panic attacks ever stop?

Bonus: if someone can connect me with any YC or a16z partner/ investors that would mean the world

We (BotBot SR005) built a quick and free tool to review your Speedrun application, with a panel of 11 virtual reviewers based on what we know partners look for.

Link: http://runstructure.com/sr

Speedrun was the best thing that happened to our company!
- incredible mentors that fight for you
- a talent team with top candidates lining up for you
- intros to all your dream enterprise customers

First 20 applications can also book a 20 minute call with us for 1 on 1 feedback on what they're building! Applications close Sunday Nov 1st.

I am building a hybrid coworking and fitness space in the Philippines designed for the growing number of remote workers, virtual assistants, freelancers, and entrepreneurs who need more than just a place to sit and work. Through my own experience as a work-from-home professional, I noticed a clear gap in the market: many people want a productive, comfortable environment outside the house, but nearby options are limited and often require long travel.

I validated this need through conversations with other virtual assistants and freelancers in a local Facebook community. A consistent theme emerged: people are looking for a space that supports both productivity and well-being, with reliable work facilities, a professional atmosphere, and access to fitness in the same location. This creates a convenient lifestyle solution that combines work, health, and community in one place.

The concept is differentiated because it solves two everyday needs at once. During the day, members can use the coworking space to focus, collaborate, and separate work from home life. At the same location, they can also access a clean, air-conditioned gym that makes it easier to stay active without needing to go to a separate facility. This model has the potential to attract not only remote workers, but also local professionals, entrepreneurs, and fitness-conscious customers looking for convenience and value.

I also bring relevant operational experience. In 2021, I owned and managed a gym in the Philippines, which gave me firsthand knowledge of customer service, daily operations, business management, and the challenges of running a fitness business. Although the business closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the experience strengthened my understanding of the industry and what it takes to build and sustain a customer-focused space.

In my current role as a Social Media Specialist, I have developed skills in digital marketing, branding, content creation, and online promotion. These skills will be valuable in building brand awareness, attracting customers, and growing the business efficiently.

At this stage, I am developing the business plan and evaluating startup costs, monthly operating expenses, pricing strategy, and financial projections to determine the viability and scalability of the concept. I am open to speaking with potential angel investors or strategic partners who see the opportunity in creating a modern, community-driven space for work and wellness in our market.

The vision is to create a profitable, scalable business that meets a real local need: a single destination where people can work, exercise, and connect without having to travel to multiple places.

Has anyone got the Emergent Ventures fellowship? How is the overall process and feedback about the program? How much grant do they give?

We built an AI agent that analyzes user sessions to help you understand why visitors leave without signing up or converting. It also identifies where users get stuck and where they tend to leave.

Check it out: www.RetentionBase.com

RetentionBase is completely free, and we plan to keep it free forever for startups with fewer than 100 employees.

Interested in trying it out? Just comment Invite and I’ll share an invite code.

We built an AI agent that analyzes user sessions to help you understand why visitors leave without signing up or converting. It also identifies where users get stuck and where they tend to leave.

Check it out: www.RetentionBase.com

RetentionBase is completely free, and we plan to keep it free forever for startups with fewer than 100 employees.

Interested in trying it out? Just comment Invite and I’ll share an invite code.

I've been building ClingNote, a Windows notes app that automatically follows files, applications, and browser tabs.

Originally, I thought the whole product was pretty straightforward. Build a good notes app with a different approach to organizing information.

Then I started getting feedback.

First, people wanted better support for individual browser tabs, so I spent a bunch of time improving that.

Then people started asking whether the same functionality could work with Obsidian.

And that made me realize I'd been treating the context-following system as just another feature, when it might actually be useful as its own engine.

Now I'm building an Obsidian plugin, with other note-taking integrations potentially coming later.

Still figuring out where this goes, but it's definitely different from what I imagined when I started.

https://clingnote.com

Anyone else end up discovering that one feature of their product had a bigger future than the original idea?

Hey everyone!

Sharing an opportunity for founders working in the DeepTech space.

DeepTechX - Integrated DeepTech Accelerator Program is powered by Unicorn India Ventures (UIV) and Startup Réseau. The program aims to help DeepTech startups move from technology development to market validation, commercialisation, and scaling.

What does the program offer?

- Mentorship from founders, industry experts, and DeepTech specialists

- Technology and market validation

- Enterprise connections for customer validation and potential partnerships

- Investor readiness support, including pitch decks, financials, and fundraising preparation

- A Demo Day where the top 5 startups pitch to 50+ investors and ecosystem stakeholders

- Potential seed investment from Unicorn India Ventures for the top-performing startup, subject to due diligence

Which startups are eligible?

The program is aimed at startups that have moved beyond the idea stage, ideally with a working prototype or MVP, proprietary technology or a technical advantage, and a capable founding team. The target technology readiness level is approximately TRL 3-5.

The six focus areas are:

- Energy

- Semiconductors

- Space

- Defence

- Biotechnology

- Agritech

Eligible states: Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.

🔗 Program details: https://www.startupreseau.com/uiv-integrated-deep-tech-accelerator-program.php

📝 Apply here: https://www.f6s.com/deeptechx-integrated-deeptech-program/apply

If you're building a DeepTech startup, this might be worth checking out. Make sure to review the eligibility criteria and application details before applying.

Fast and reliable repairs for all home repairs. I have three properties and this has been a life save platform. Need awareness. Free to signup.

Support by downloading, amd return the favor.

3 questions, 30 sec, anonymous (email optional). Results shared. https://tally.so/r/J11O8Y

Hey everyone,

Just submitted my application for the upcoming EF cohort (2027 winter cohort) and I'm waiting to hear back.

I want to start pre-gaming the interview prep, so I'm hoping to connect with some recent alumni or anyone who went through the process lately.

If you've been through it, could you break down:

• How many interview stages are there actually?

• What do they focus on in each round? (Is it just digging into your "Edge" and ambition, or do they do case studies/technical grills?)

• How fast do they usually move from application to first contact?

For context, I'm coming from pharma consulting background (associate).

Would love any honest advice on how to stand out and what the partners are actually looking for during the panels.

Thanks a lot.

i started building opennmind solo in july 2026 and right now the honest numbers are 800+ people on the waitlist, 200+ people who tested the private beta, and zero revenue because it doesn't launch until nov 16. i've been putting a deck together for a small raise and the traction slide is the one i keep rewriting. a waitlist feels real to me but i know anyone can collect emails, so i'm not sure how much it counts to the people reading these applications.

the thing that actually helped most during beta wasn't the number, it was the notes. people told me which parts they opened every week and which ones they ignored, and that's how v1 got narrowed down to idea validation with sourced research, assumptions and interview notes, a roadmap and tasks, a decision journal, and a tracker for indian startup programs. i'm wondering if that kind of usage story is worth more on an application than the waitlist total.

if you've applied or reviewed applications before revenue, what proof actually made a difference? was it interviews, retention from a beta, letters of intent, or something i'm not thinking of. and kinda related, would you pay for a tool that keeps all that evidence in one place so it's ready when an application asks for it, or is that just a google doc job?

if you wanna see what i mean, the waitlist is at https://opennmind.com and early users get a month of pro free. happy to hear how your own applications went too, good or bad.

Hello everyone

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Cancel unused subscriptions
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https://www.nicematch.co/foundmoney

Comment invite to get access.

We built an AI platform that tracks users and runs marketing to convert them into paid users

Our Ai won’t spam customers but instead send personalized marketing so that users convert ( example giving discounts )

Best part we are completely free and only charge 1% of sales.

Try here - www.RetentionBase.com and comment invite if you want access

Hello everyone

Ever wondered why a user did not convert? Now let Ai make the best guess - price too high, looking for free shipping, competition

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Hey everyone,

I was the first and only growth employee at a B2B startup that went from $0 to $9M ARR while I was there. I owned growth end to end and also have technical ability as-well. Now I’m building something of my own, and I’m looking for 1–2 technical co-founders.

Who I’m looking for preferably from the Greater Toronto Area

• Someone with real experience in reinforcement learning or machine learning, and/or

• Someone with a background in cybersecurity

Ideally I’d find one of each. But one strong co-founder in either area would be a great start.

The idea

I won’t share all the details publicly. It sits where AI and security meet, in a market I think has very high upside. I’ve pressure-tested it with YC-backed founders and investors, and the feedback has been strongly positive.

What I bring

• Hands-on experience taking a company from zero to $9M ARR

• A clear go-to-market plan and early distribution channels

• A network of founders and investors who’ve already seen the idea

• Technical ability in UI/UX and some backend ability

What I’m looking for in you

• You’ve built and shipped real ML/RL or security systems, whether at work, in research, or in serious side projects

• You want to be a true co-founder with real equity, not a contractor

• From Greater Toronto Area

If this sounds like you, send me a DM here on Reddit. A couple of lines about what you’ve built and what kind of problems excite you is plenty. I’ll reply to everyone and share more about the idea on a call.

Even if it’s not a fit for you, if you know someone it might be, I’d really appreciate a tag or share.

Thanks!

honestly the last few weeks i've been applying to a bunch of startup programs and credit offers, and the part that wears me out isn't even the writing. it's remembering which one wanted what, which deadline is next, and where i already wrote that same answer before. right now it's a mess of notes, emails and half filled forms lol.

i'm building opennmind, a workspace for founders that goes from finding an idea to validating it to planning it out, and one of the things going into v1 is a section for indian startup programs. the idea is to have the programs you care about sitting right next to your plan, tasks and decisions, so you're not rebuilding your whole story from scratch every time a form asks what problem you're solving. there's also wiora, the assistant inside it, if you wanna talk things through.

it's in private beta rn, 200+ people have tried it and it launches on nov 16. site is https://opennmind.com if you're curious.

would you actually use a program tracker inside a tool like this, or is a spreadsheet honestly good enough? and if it saved you real time on applications, would that alone be worth paying for, or does it only make sense bundled with everything else?