"I think their is something special about YC, though I don't know exactly what that is." YC provides three key benefits: 1) "The Alumni" -- YC founders helpin

"I think their is something special about YC, though I don't know exactly what that is." YC provides three key benefits: 1) "The Alumni" -- YC founders helping each other 2) "The Man" -- PG and the other partners do bring some value in the form of advice and connections (and the associated branding) 3) "The Cycle" -- Any moderately interesting product/service will have guaranteed customers in the form of other YC companies. AFAICT, the other programs don't have a charismatic character at the helm, may not have as strong an alumni network, and don't have the portfolio breadth to sustain a business from the cycle