I know virtually nothing about YC so it seems off for me to be jumping in on this. But is YC really pioneering methods of investing. Aren't the other component

I know virtually nothing about YC so it seems off for me to be jumping in on this. But is YC really pioneering methods of investing. Aren't the other components: motivation, introductions, community, promotion, etc. more substantial the the "investment" element. I guess you could call those things investment too, but not capital investment. Basically, is YC in the same industry as VCs at all?