JustPaid is an AI-powered billing automation platform streamlining accounts receivable and payable processes. It offers automated invoice generation, real-time data analytics, and customizable billing rules, all designed to improve cash flow and efficiency. The platform integrates with existing systems and includes features like AI-driven collections and a user-friendly dashboard. JustPaid caters to various businesses, from entrepreneurs to financial experts, promising simplified revenue management and reduced operational costs. Positive client testimonials highlight improved financial control and significant cost savings.

We interview some amazing guests at the JustPaid.io podcast, in this episode, we sit down with Yurii Rebryk from Fluently, an accomplished entrepreneur and co-founder who shares his journey through the challenges and successes of securing funding from Y Combinator. Yurii discusses his experiences applying to YC multiple times, emphasizing the importance of persistence, adaptability, and building a strong founding team. He offers valuable insights into the application process, the critical role of market research, and how to effectively position a startup for success. This episode is packed with practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the competitive world of startup accelerators. For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the journey to securing funding and support from prestigious accelerators like Y Combinator (YC) can be fraught with obstacles. This blog post explores the insights shared by founders who applied to YC multiple times, ultimately achieving success on their third attempt. Their experiences reveal valuable lessons about persistence, adaptability, and the importance of a strong team. The Journey Through Y Combinator Applications Applying to Y Combinator is a significant milestone for many startups. The process, however, can be challenging, especially for those who do not succeed on their first attempt. The founders discussed how they applied to YC three times, each time receiving an interview but not passing until their final application. This experience highlights the importance of resilience and learning from feedback. Understanding the Application Process In their first application, the founders were students, entering the process with an idea that they later realized had a very small market. Despite this setback, they were invited for interviews each time, which suggests that YC saw potential in their team rather than just their ideas. During these interviews, the founders learned valuable lessons about the importance of having a scalable market and a strong founding team. First Application: The idea pitched had a very small market. Second Application: The founders pivoted to a new idea just before the interview. Third Application: They refined their approach and presented a more compelling case. Lessons Learned from Each Attempt Each application provided the founders with insights that they used to improve their pitch. After their first rejection, they realized the importance of addressing market size and scalability. They learned that YC primarily invests in teams rather than ideas, which shifted their focus towards showcasing their strengths as founders. The founders also emphasized the importance of persistence. Despite facing rejection, they remained committed to their vision and continued to apply to different accelerators, not just YC. This broad approach helped them understand the landscape better and refine their ideas. The Importance of a Strong Team Throughout the discussion, the founders emphasized that YC invests heavily in the team behind the idea. Their previous experiences, including internships at notable companies like Google and Nvidia, contributed to their strong profiles as founders. They highlighted that having a well-rounded team with diverse experiences can significantly enhance a startup's chances of success. Building a Strong Founding Team Collaboration among team members is crucial in the startup ecosystem. The founders shared their journey of working together for over a decade, which strengthened their partnership. This long-standing relationship allowed them to navigate challenges more effectively and build a cohesive vision for their startup. Team Dynamics: A strong foundation of trust and familiarity. Diverse Backgrounds: Experience in various tech fields enhanced their capabilities. Shared Vision: A common goal that drives their startup forward.

Get the full blog post here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rejected-y-combinator-just-apply-again-daniel-kivatinos--mmlzc/

In this episode we interview Taylor Lowe. Taylor Lowe is the co-founder and CEO of Metal, an AI company focused on accelerating deal flow and providing portfolio intelligence for private equity and venture capital firms. Metal is a venture-backed startup that was part of Y Combinator's Winter 2023 batch (YC W23). Lowe and his team recently unveiled a new AI assistant specifically designed for financial services and private equity funds. This development demonstrates Metal's commitment to applying artificial intelligence to improve processes and decision-making in the investment industry. Prior to founding Metal, Taylor Lowe had experience in managing teams and generating insights to accelerate product development. His background in understanding the big picture and his ability to manage teams effectively likely contributed to his current role as a startup founder in the AI space. Metal's focus appears to be on simplifying AI capabilities for private equity and venture capital teams, grounding the technology in practical use cases for these industries. This approach suggests that Lowe and his company are working to bridge the gap between advanced AI technologies and the specific needs of financial professionals in the PE and VC sectors.

Join us for an insightful podcast episode featuring Christina Ross, the CEO and founder of Cube. With a background as a former CFO and finance leader, Christina's journey from CFO to CEO showcases her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation in the financial planning and analysis sector. Discover how Cube, a cutting-edge FP&A software, is revolutionizing financial operations under Christina's leadership. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Christina Ross, a visionary in the tech industry, as she shares her experiences and strategies that have propelled Cube to the forefront of modern finance solutions. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Christina Ross, a serial CFO turned Founder/CEO, on our engaging podcast! Automatically invoice and simply get paid. Let the AI do the work. With AI reviewing contractual payments instantly and always. Bill pay is accessible through the platform as we track everything for you. JustPaid.io provides a centralized experience to automate and manage vendor relationships to ensure no matter the stage of your organization, you are always in control. Learn more at JustPaid.io

Michael Guerin was the CEO and Founder of ClearPort, a cross-border trade credit startup for mid-market firms from 2017 to 2020. He has a background in banking partnerships and has also worked at companies like Kabbage, Citibank, and the International Trade Administration (ITA), US Department of Commerce. Michael Guerin's experience spans across various sectors, showcasing his expertise in trade credit and financial services[1][2][3][4].

Citations: [1] https://theorg.com/org/aazzur/org-cha... [2] https://theorg.com/org/sprinque/org-c... [3] https://wellfound.com/company/clearport [4] https://wellfound.com/company/clearpo... [5] / michaelbguerin Automatically invoice and simply get paid. Let the AI do the work. With AI reviewing contractual payments instantly and always. Bill pay is accessible through the platform as we track everything for you. JustPaid.io provides a centralized experience to automate and manage vendor relationships to ensure no matter the stage of your organization, you are always in control. Learn more at JustPaid.io

Sunil Kumar is an experienced professional who serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Karbon Cards, a Y Combinator-backed company that provides corporate credit cards, vendor payment solutions, and foreign exchange outward remittance services to Indian businesses[2][4]. Before joining Karbon Cards, Sunil gained expertise through his work at various organizations such as Ninjacart, where he contributed to strategic expansions involving commerce and fintech[1]. His background includes a strong focus on technology and finance, having spent over 10 years in both fields while living in the United States prior to returning to India[4]. Additionally, Sunil has demonstrated leadership skills within the engineering sector, serving as treasurer for Engineers Without Borders, Cincinnati[1]. With a passion for innovation and disruption in the financial landscape, Sunil plays a pivotal role in driving Karbon Cards forward as part of the team that aims to revolutionize business payments in India[3]. Citations: [1] https://in.linkedin.com/in/sunilkumar14 [2] https://theorg.com/org/karbon-card/or... [4] https://www.ycombinator.com/companies... [5] https://yourstory.com/people/sunil-ku...

Max Cho is the founder and CEO of Coverage Cat, a company focused on providing the best insurance deals to individuals[2][5]. He has a background in quant hedge funds, having worked at Two Sigma, and has also held product management positions at Google, Microsoft, and Yale University[4][5]. Cho has a Master of Science in Computer Science from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science from Yale University[5]. He is also an alumnus of Y Combinator's S22 batch[5]. Citations: [1] / maxrcho [2] https://www.coveragecat.com/team/max-cho [3] • Max Cho Co-Founder and CEO at Coverag... [4] https://www.f6s.com/max-cho [5] https://theorg.com/org/coverage-cat/o.