They used to be early stage. Our startup has records of some sort for being rejected most times by YC and I always chat with those who made it and those who did

They used to be early stage. Our startup has records of some sort for being rejected most times by YC and I always chat with those who made it and those who didn't. Traction was where all the action was. That's what most VC's care too (apart from other VCs investing). All the vision, values bullshit is just fluff talk from them.