I know it is hopeless for me to try to get into Y Combinator (single founder, not ivy league, never worked at a big internet company ala google, already rejected). So I filled out the TechStars application and so far I had a least some followup questions asked of me (that is good).
I probably won't make the cut but the chance at having the influence and instant publicity is too much to pass up to not try.
From a cursory glance, it looks as if 4 of the current batch of 21 startups have founders who went to Ivy League colleges. Probably more worked for big Internet cos at some point, but we don't care much about that either.
It's true we're reluctant to fund single founders-- there are only 2 in the current batch-- but that's because it really does make it much harder to succeed. So you should try and find someone you know who will work with you, if you can.
There's a bigger and cooler reason to explain this than the perceived lack of competence pg has in single founders.
Something hard to imagine until you think about it is that it will be impossible to find someone to join you when you're already in San Francisco. Apparently, there are a lot of startups, Fortune 500, and Inc 500 companies competing for the same people. At least, that's what I've come to understand. So, he is really doing you (us) a favor.
We (Winter 08 YC accepted) have 2 founders who are college dropouts (tho one managed to finish his degree after we were accepted), and one founder (me) with a Psychology Degree from a crappy little liberal arts college.
I think YC and the others are looking for demonstrably talented people who yearn to build/launch things. Going to an ivy league school or working at a big company don't necessarily demonstrate these qualities. Even if they do (a little), there are plenty of other ways to show that you rock.
Similiar situation here, I was in the recent Twiistup event. First time I had applied for anything like that and to get in I feel was a good accomplishment.
Stop talking like that right now! That negative little voice in your head will make your failure a self fulfilling prophesy. Don't mean to get all Dr. Phil on you, but if you're serious about starting a business, there is never room for that kind of talk, especially to yourself.
I believe you have me wrong here, just on being able to make the application (yc, etc) hurdles. I have 30,000 + users in nearly 15,000 different organizations using the system I have developed.
I am also about to release a version that works & acts like ning.com, and versions targeted towards specific verticals (all that run on the same base of code, so there is no code duplication at all).
I don't hit on the things you listed either. At the time of your application, you won't be able to do much about any of those. You can change your attitude though. By attitude, I didn't and don't mean you're a jerk. I meant more in terms of optimism.
I probably won't make the cut but the chance at having the influence and instant publicity is too much to pass up to not try.