-Instead of leveraging your network for recommendations, ask for advice and tips on your product (then go out and execute on them). I think they are trying to

-Instead of leveraging your network for recommendations, ask for advice and tips on your product (then go out and execute on them). I think they are trying to optimize the wrong things. I'd much rather they spend a few days testing your business model and hacking on the business than the YC app itself. You'll probably learn more that way. Plus if your business model is successful and you have traction, it's really helps your app. Chances are you won't find a spot into YC, but you'll probably still have your company in a few months. Which one do you really want to optimize? I'd go for optimizing the business with less of a focus on the YC app.