A lot of points resonate with me, but here are some counterarguments to me that resonated quite well: 1. As a first-time founder, YC (the community + the progr

A lot of points resonate with me, but here are some counterarguments to me that resonated quite well: 1. As a first-time founder, YC (the community + the program itself) is a great education. I've learned a ton about different growth channels at a "growth bootcamp", about different possible business models (through the companies that have come and done talks and those in our small group), and about the pitfalls of a startup (through the former founders who are both in the batch and presenting at the talk). All of these have compressed a lot of informal learning into formal/less-informal lessons 2. You still get to choose how to run your company, unless you give up majority voting shares of your company and/or board control. Even that decision is ultimately up to you. It's important to go into every conversation having a good idea of what is best for you and your company, and then to consider what is best for the investor. You will face pressure, but it's essential to have your own perspective in mind and be steadfast in crucial circumstances 3. The community and credentialing is amazing. YC has a reputation that helps to hire and partner with other important companies and people 4. I put this last, but to some founders, this is the most important part. If you are raising money, Demo Day is just a completely unique circumstance to do it I definitely don't regret doing YC, but I seriously considered not doing it before. I'd bootstrapped all of my past companies, but points 1 and 2 here were the ones my friends mentioned that convinced me to do it