The difference between the two cases is that in a startup, your customers determine whether you're successful, and they are not in fact "willing to accept the c

The difference between the two cases is that in a startup, your customers determine whether you're successful, and they are not in fact "willing to accept the credentials." The only thing being funded by YC automatically gets anyone is a first meeting with most investors. It won't close the round for you (if only we could promise that), and it certainly won't get you customers.