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Comment by zt | Hacker News Reader

As to the usefulness and worthwhileness of YC there cannot be two opinions. The affection and praise of the alumni alone would prove the point even before you consider the companies that have built out of it. And at the heart of that is what Walker points to quite clearly: candor and the clear support that can only spring from it.

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There "cannot be two opinions?" Actually, there can be as many opinions as there are people (not just companies, but individual people) who have gone through the process. And they can reasonably vary, because not everyone and not every company needs YC or something like it, or can necessarily even benefit from it.

It's ridiculous to suggest that YC is a universally positive experience, just like it's ridiculous to suggest it's completely without value (based on the significant praise you refer to).

Honestly curious, is there any company you know of who has publicly stated they weren't happy they went through YC? Not saying it's conclusive either way, would just be interesting to read why.

I do know founders who've said as such. Wouldn't say it publicly, I'd imagine.

I am really curious about this as well. I would be surprised if there is no YC alum with the opposite opinion. Even if they are wrong in their conclusion, I would be very interested to see a reasoned negative perspective on the value of YC as well to shape my personal evaluation better. It'd be awesome if a founder in that position volunteered publishing something, even if it's published anonymously.

(If anyone has a link to such a writeup, that I may have missed, please comment!)

It was a turn of phrase -- sorry if I offended.

It's not just a turn of phrase - your whole comment was saying 'YC is indisputably worth it' and the response was 'no it isn't, not for everyone.

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