It's like colleges. You get the hype, everyone is talking about it and you feel like you have to be in one of the top schools in the world in order to make a di

It's like colleges. You get the hype, everyone is talking about it and you feel like you have to be in one of the top schools in the world in order to make a difference. The truth is, it's over rated. Like MBA's, like top colleges, etc. There is a true value to YC, I do understand that, but it's business at the end of the day. The more money comes in, the happier the partners and investors. That value I'm referring to is the access to the network. Very similar to top MBA programs like I said right? It's like surrounding yourself with "yes" people. Eating your own dog food. At the end of the day, if you decide to do something on your own, you'll do it no matter what. A ticket to Harvard is not what's gonna lead you to success. It's you and only you. YC comes as a distraction to a lot of people. They don't want to find a real solution to a real problem, they want to get into YC. That's their main motivation... not everyone of course, but in 2018 it feels like majority of the candidates are attracted by the hype. Unfortunately, if you keep squeezing the orange there won't be any juice left. To answer your question, it takes time to get all the stars in line and to jump on a problem in a meaningful way. YC is a way to skip the line hopping you'll end up getting a ticket at the VIP party. I think some people got sick of it and became a little more patient. Waiting for a new way to make it and to become early adopters of that thing. Be a black sheep.