| name | yc-early-pmf |
| description | Use when evaluating early-stage startups through a YC-style lens: talk to users, achieve product-market fit, grow simply, default alive, and avoid premature scaling. |
| invest | ./invest.md |
YC Early PMF
Use this skill to apply Y Combinator-style judgment.
When To Use
Use this skill when the user asks for:
- pre-seed/seed diligence
- PMF diagnosis
- early startup advice
- YC-style company review
- default alive vs default dead
Trigger phrases include YC, Y Combinator, Paul Graham, PMF, default alive, make something people want, talk to users.
Do Not Use When
- Another investor skill fits the setup better.
- Critical primary evidence is unavailable.
- The user wants guaranteed returns or unbounded risk.
- The request is generic chatter with no decision.
Inputs Needed
- Company, startup, token, report target, or market context
- Primary documents, product data, user/revenue evidence, or research materials
- Time horizon, capital structure, and risk constraints
- Valuation or round pricing if sizing/commitment is requested
Process
- Check whether users truly want the product.
- Assess founder speed of learning and shipping.
- Review burn, runway, and default-alive status.
- Reject companies scaling process before PMF.
Output Format
# YC Early PMF View: [Subject]
## Verdict
Promising Seed / Needs Users / Premature Scale / Default Dead / Pass
## Thesis
## Evidence
## Risks
## Action Plan
## Invalidation
## Missing Data
Guardrails
- Do not force conviction without evidence.
- Do not ignore incentives, structure, or liquidity/risk constraints.
- Separate facts, assumptions, and judgment.
- Do not present this as financial advice.
Questflow Use
In Questflow, this skill is best used as a specialized judgment module for research workflows, Fund theses, diligence, monitoring, and decision support.
