yc-early-pmf

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

1. Check whether users truly want the product.
2. Assess founder speed of learning and shipping.
3. Review burn, runway, and default-alive status.
4. 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.