It may be true that you don't need to have worked in a white shoe firm to be respected in SV, but I'm pretty sure there's certain characteristics that are advantageous:

- Got into a top university. Good grades are popular, unsurprisingly. A proxy for intelligence and hard work.

- Speaks English. How many YC folks don't? I'm sure there are a lot of smart people in the world who just didn't grow up with English and so are somewhat cut off from SV. Not insurmountable though.

- High EQ. Helps smooth interactions with just about everyone, including investors and employees.