People often ask me: « Is YC worth 7% of your cap table? »
Here's my answer: 👇
HELL. F*CKING. YES.
Every year, founders ask: "Is YC still worth it?"
With more funding options and endless startup playbooks, some say it’s lost its edge.
They’re wrong. ❌❌❌
YC isn’t just an accelerator—it’s an unfair advantage.
Here’s why:
1. The YC stamp opens doors instantly
Fundraising? Hiring? Landing big customers?
YC gives you instant credibility.
Investors actually read your emails.
Top-tier candidates want to work with you.
Even potential customers take you more seriously.
In a world where trust is everything, YC gives you a head start.
2. The Network is Your Secret Weapon
Thousands of founders. Billions in funding. Decades of lessons learned.
YC’s alumni network is the ultimate cheat code.
Need intros to investors?
Advice on scaling?
A warm intro to a dream hire?
Someone in the network has already been there—and they’re ready to help.
3. Fundraising Becomes 10x Easier
YC doesn’t just hand you $500k.
It puts you in front of investors who WANT to back YC startups.
Demo Day? You can raise a round in days.
Need follow-on funding? YC intros open doors.
Even years later, being a YC alum gives you an edge when raising money.
4. Speed. Relentless Focus. Execution.
YC forces you to move fast, iterate faster, and focus on what actually matters.
No fluff. No distractions.
Just building something people truly want.
Most startups fail because they move too slow.
YC fixes that.
5. It’s a Lifetime Membership
YC isn’t just a 3-month program—it’s a forever network.
Alumni keep getting value years after their batch.
Need help with fundraising?
Hiring?
Launching a second startup?
YC’s doors never close.
CONCLUSION
So... is YC still worth it?
For the right kind of founder — the ambitious, the relentless, the ones playing to win — YC is still the best startup accelerator in the world.
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👋 Don't know me? I'm J.Y! I've been building things and making money online since 2017, and I share my entrepreneurial journey here on LinkedIn.