I'm by no means in a position of power, but if I saw a company "come across my desk" that applied and got rejected by YC, that would still stand out to me as a

I'm by no means in a position of power, but if I saw a company "come across my desk" that applied and got rejected by YC, that would still stand out to me as a unique company, because they tried. Especially if that company acknowledged the reasons they were rejected and what they learned from the rejection and what they'd change next. Good luck on your next step!