People have been bootstrapping for thousands of years. Most business don't get VC money. I would say it is main stream. However in SV startup business its eithe

People have been bootstrapping for thousands of years. Most business don't get VC money. I would say it is main stream. However in SV startup business its either go big or go home so it is hard to make it big without capital. Beyond money YC is a brand. Its like harvard or stanford or google or facebook. Its good to have on your resume.