---
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

```md
# 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.