Context:
Let me be super clear: I’m not anti-YC. In fact, I think YC is great. There’s a real and important function they serve in the startup ecosystem and, honestly, in society. You need a factory line that takes mid-status engineers and Stanford grads and turns them into founders who are legible to capital markets. That’s actually useful. It means more businesses get started, and some of those businesses are genuinely great.
I’m not going to name names, but now that likes are private, people don’t have to be afraid of judgement anymore. There are plenty of YC founders who, if you ask them privately, would agree with me.
Market Signal:
We’re seeing YC act as a systematized on-ramp for “legible” founders. They’re not just picking the outliers—they’re manufacturing founders who can raise money. That’s a market-shaping dynamic.
At the same time, there’s an undercurrent of performative politeness and social signaling in the YC orbit—and some pushback against it. There’s a silent majority (or at least a vocal minority) of YC founders who feel the social pressure but aren’t totally bought in on the public narrative.
Takeaways:
YC is a net positive for the ecosystem—The “factory line” approach creates more shots on goal for innovation.
It’s not about being anti-YC—it’s about being honest about what they do well: making companies fundable.
YC should be proud of the fact that so many great companies come out of their program. Just don’t pretend that funding isn’t the name of the game.