Pick One Idea and Go Deep

Many founders get stuck trying to find the perfect startup idea before they commit. But the perfect idea doesn't exist in the abstract. The only way to find what works is to pick one, go deep, and get feedback from real customers. In this episode of Startup School, YC General Partner Jon Xu breaks down how to choose what to build, "burn the other boats," and go deep enough to practically run your customer's business— and why that depth is what surfaces the better idea underneath. Apply to Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/apply Work at a startup: https://www.ycombinator.com/jobs Chapters: 00:00 — Intro 00:59 — The "Perfect Idea" trap 02:42 — Why working on multiple ideas fails 03:21 — How to actually go deep 04:51 — Could you run your customer's business? 06:18 — Build at the edge of what AI can do 08:37 — Aim at the most ambitious version 09:33 — What happens when the idea fails 10:27 — Walk fast in one direction

Jon Xuhost

Jun 17, 202611mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: June 17, 2026
Duration: 11m
Channel: Y Combinator
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Many founders get stuck trying to find the perfect startup idea before they commit. But the perfect idea doesn't exist in the abstract. The only way to find what works is to pick one, go deep, and get feedback from real customers. In this episode of Startup School, YC General Partner Jon Xu breaks down how to choose what to build, "burn the other boats," and go deep enough to practically run your customer's business— and why that depth is what surfaces the better idea underneath. Apply to Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/apply Work at a startup: https://www.ycombinator.com/jobs Chapters: 00:00 — Intro 00:59 — The "Perfect Idea" trap 02:42 — Why working on multiple ideas fails 03:21 — How to actually go deep 04:51 — Could you run your customer's business? 06:18 — Build at the edge of what AI can do 08:37 — Aim at the most ambitious version 09:33 — What happens when the idea fails 10:27 — Walk fast in one direction

SPEAKERS

Jon Xu
host
Partner at Y Combinator focused on startup and founder advice.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Y Combinator, featuring Jon Xu, Pick One Idea and Go Deep explores stop overthinking; commit to one idea and learn fast Searching for a “perfect idea” in the abstract is futile; real clarity comes from customer feedback and contact with reality.

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