Thanks for the comments. I didn't really mean to focus hype on the TC50 conference. Rather, I think it makes an interesting story about trying to get in to a d

Thanks for the comments. I didn't really mean to focus hype on the TC50 conference. Rather, I think it makes an interesting story about trying to get in to a decent product launch conference - we get told by the main main we've got 80% chance getting in [yah!], we don't get in [boo!], we get email saying 'actually you are in' [yah!], but then we realise we can't do it [boo!]. I'd hope it's at least vaguely interesting, regardless of the conference. I agree there is a danger of getting caught up in the TechCrunch hype bubble, just as there is in getting caught up in the Y Combinator programme hype. As has been pointed out, the reality is that 99.9%+ of successful web startups have nothing to do with TC50 or YC. Nevertheless TC (just as YC) have had some notable successes that fuel the hype - just look at Mint (TC40 2007 winner) being acquired today. I'd say that in terms of web product launch conferences, TC50 is about as good and prestigious an opportunity you can get. However after that it is unlikely I would have a need to attend again - it's not the sort of conference where you sell your service. Part of the reality check we took in saying "no" to this opportunity was to remind ourselves that it is "just a conference" - it's not the be all and end all. It won't break us not to attend. I think that shows that we were able to resist the hype. As is said below - we want to do things right - not do something for the sake of it. wrt to DemoPit - according to the information we received, the DemoPit was only for the TC50 semi-finalist companies. I haven't seen any mention of being able to buy your way in otherwise. That said, if you did want to do DemoPit you had to pay a few thousand dollars. In that regard it becomes just a regular exhibition. We were offered a free DemoPit place just in case we weren't actually needed on the stage.