The comparision maybe more like a top school like MIT to say something still very good like UIUC or UMich. Im pretty sure most applicants apply to both YC and Techstars, just like school if they dont "get into" thier first choice, they most probably might take second choice. I wouldn't dismiss these as clones. Techstars have shown pretty good track record so far(though thier sample size is small and if Im right thier entire first batch recieved some form of funding). I dont know about others, maybe something might come out since they just started and YC has been around for few years. As an entrepreneur defnitely community of other hackers matters, which no doubt YC wins, but still I wouldn't dismiss others as clones.
PS:I neither did YC nor Techstars, just my opinion
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The comparision maybe more like a top school like MIT to say something still very good like UIUC or UMich. Im pretty sure most applicants apply to both YC and Techstars, just like school if they dont "get into" thier first choice, they most probably might take second choice. I wouldn't dismiss these as clones. Techstars have shown pretty good track record so far(though thier sample size is small and if Im right thier entire first batch recieved some form of funding). I dont know about others, maybe something might come out since they just started and YC has been around for few years. As an entrepreneur defnitely community of other hackers matters, which no doubt YC wins, but still I wouldn't dismiss others as clones.
PS:I neither did YC nor Techstars, just my opinion