For me at least, here is why I don't think I'll ever be applying to YC a) I don't need the $20k (and certainly not for the %age YC want to take - 6% for $20k =

For me at least, here is why I don't think I'll ever be applying to YC a) I don't need the $20k (and certainly not for the %age YC want to take - 6% for $20k = valuation of $333,000). In fact I don't even want to price a deal so early in the company lifetime. b) I find myself introducing so many fellow entrepreneurs to contacts in my network that after 4 years in SF I probably have a large overlap of contacts (which seems to be a big draw). c) YC seems designed to let a bunch of smart young guys(/girls) hack around in cheap accommodation eating ramen until they come up with something cool. I guess cos I'm almost 30, live with my partner and business minded I'd rather be clear with the problem I'm trying to solve and the business model to achieve success before I write much code. Pivoting is to be expected but it should be a 'get out of jail' card, not a standard MO. d) I think it's hard to break out of the mould of being "a YC company" and stand on your own feet. A few have managed it but not many. tl;dr: Perhaps ultimately I don't fit the mould of recent college grad with little money, low personal burn, probably not living in SF yet and little-to-no startup experience -- which seems to be the type of founder YC likes.