Y we did not submit to Y Combinator

1. 10% arbitrary evaluation of equity arrived at via a pre-determined valuation of $6000(ave) is simply BS unless the IP is considered worthless upon consideration. 2. Desperation does NOT equal success. When you sell-out, you HAVE already sold-out. (ie the period enlightenment before sell-out) so no matter how successful you become, you will always have these $6k partners stymieing the proceedings from there-on-in. 3. Middlemen are the PROBLEM with free-enterprise not the SOLUTION. They cunningly present themselves as the solution to the very problems they create. If you need one, you have nothing of real value. 4.Ycombinator, despite their claimed virtues, are trying to CONTROL TECH STARTUPS through simple avarice. They don’t control the end-user so they actually control nothing unless you submit to their BS. Solution: Don’t sell-out. Persist. If you build it, and they want it. They will come. Ycombination is a construct best ignored by the serious players.

If you believe that Y-combinator provides better than a 10% improvement in your odds of success, then they are more than worth what they ask for.

What does YCombinator give you?

-- Access to advice from more experienced people (in many respects: programming, architecture, business model, user acquisition, usability, user experience. It's rare for any startup to have 2-3 founders that together are rock solid in all these areas)

-- A name-brand incubator that helps you attract talent

-- A name-brand incubator that helps you attract high-value first adopters

-- Networking with other very talented YCombinator applicants and alumni

-- Plenty of news coverage from tech pundits and other journalists because of the YCombinator brand

I would bet you that the overwhelming majority of YCombinator applicants do not apply for the money. They most likely apply for all the other intangible benefits.

Good luck pitching Mike Arrington :)