"What we really do at Y Combinator is get startups launched straight. One of many metaphors you could use for YC is a steam catapult on an aircraft carrier. We

"What we really do at Y Combinator is get startups launched straight. One of many metaphors you could use for YC is a steam catapult on an aircraft carrier. We get startups airborne. Barely airborne, but enough that they can accelerate fast." So... it's an incubator? :D YC is what incubators were supposed to be. Even though you don't put them in an office, you do encourage them to live in the YC Tower, etc. It might make you wince, but think of it this way: YC is incubation done right.