You bring up some good points. A very powerful part of the YC network is simply being surrounded by awesome people. I've found that type of community througho

You bring up some good points. A very powerful part of the YC network is simply being surrounded by awesome people. I've found that type of community throughout the startup ecosystem. When I lived in Boston, before ever getting into YC, I found it at Betahouse in Central Square. While in NY, I found it at General Assembly. Now I see it at RocketSpace in SF.