YC is just the beneficiary of the status quo. If they disappeared one of the lesser players would just take their spot in line. But the real status quo edge,

YC is just the beneficiary of the status quo. If they disappeared one of the lesser players would just take their spot in line. But the real status quo edge, the real big deal here, is the ability to get rich without actually making any money, i.e. unprofitable growth at scale (minus profits). This is a real, real big deal, but you can't do it without access. You can turn an honest buck anywhere. Making a bundle without actually turning a profit is extraordinarily hard to do outside of Silicon Valley.