I should have clarified. I meant an option where they take some fraction of 7%. Not sure whether this is necessarily a great deal for YC or not. Depends how cheaply they can raise the $150k they need for each company in each batch.
I just know for many startups like mine $150k is basically worthless. It's not enough to hire and you just stay somewhere cheaper and commute into YC for the program.
>> It's not enough to hire and you just stay somewhere cheaper and commute into YC for the program.
As I understood it, the original intent was just to pay living expenses while doing the program and developing a minimum viable product. The intent was that the makers would own the company. It has strayed from that for better or worse.
Got it. I always thought the 150k was meant for smallish teams as a "spend 3 months growing here and 3 months raising more money" kind of money, which is important for many companies.
You're right. A no investment incubator would kind of suck but there are pay to play incubators?! Reverse investing? Makes no sense, but your scenario would be better than that. Nothing wrong with a Harvard scholarship.
There are few government run 0% equity accelerators. Start-Up Chile gives $35k in reimbursed expenses and six months of office space + mentorship. Their hope is you stay in Chile and they make it back in taxes.
I just know for many startups like mine $150k is basically worthless. It's not enough to hire and you just stay somewhere cheaper and commute into YC for the program.