One of the big advantages of YC is the notoriety associated with being a YC company. Easier introductions to press, investors, and partners. Notice how much coverage YC companies got on TechCrunch this last round? There's a reason, it's because YC does a great job pre-selecting good companies to showcase to press/investors and they've built up a good reputation on that.
Which in-turn, is now an idea magnet that pulls the best deal flow from around the world. I don't think they are the only ones that are capable of doing this tho.
ycom also seems to be more consumer focused, which is what most of the techblogs cover because it brings eyeballs. consumer exits are often big pay days, but more importantly to me at least — the most fun to work on. B2B is often a drab. lol
i think some of these incubators should not forget the enterprise play either. Austin Ventures had A/V Labs awhile back, but I don't recall much about its success.
I'd wager that YC companies are statistically more fund-able or exit-able than other similar stage startups out there. They've been through a round of screening, chosen and mentored by successful entrepreneurs who do it for a living--it's certainly a leg up.
"They've been through a round of screening, chosen and mentored by successful entrepreneurs who do it for a living", so do TechStars companies and others.
Correct. I think we're comparing two different things. I was talking about YC-style seed-stage funding vs other startups. You were talking about YC vs TechStars. Apples and oranges. No disrespect to TechStars, that's just not what I was talking about.
“You were talking about YC vs TechStars. Apples and oranges.” Ah, That is disrespectful to TechStars they are in the same business and it is exactly what we have been talking about, read the thread again.
I’m one founder who has great admiration for YC, but I just don’t think they have the key to startup success. I think this should be clear in all HN readers mind despite the hype around here. Ultimately it will serve the startup world very well that YC get competitors, because no matter their commitment they will not spot all future success.
