I would also add that by the time a company is accepted into YC, they tend to already have something going for themselves, usually momentum or traction of some

I would also add that by the time a company is accepted into YC, they tend to already have something going for themselves, usually momentum or traction of some sort. If that is the case, what is the value of their 7% buy-in vs. doing more of what the company is already doing right and trying to raise a similar seed round (possibly at lower valuation)? PS I'm not trying to say Ycombinator is bad, I'm just trying to solicit opinions and make sure I understand the reality.