1) A VC network of known quantities on the quality of the VCs is pretty helpful. These are people you are putting alot of faith in and vice versa. I'd say that is not something to be underestimated.
2) The Alumni network for successful YC companies is probably harder to tap into from the outside than you are thinking. You'd have a hard time getting a meeting with a founder of Stripe than, say, someone from the '14 summer class.
Comments
1) A VC network of known quantities on the quality of the VCs is pretty helpful. These are people you are putting alot of faith in and vice versa. I'd say that is not something to be underestimated.
2) The Alumni network for successful YC companies is probably harder to tap into from the outside than you are thinking. You'd have a hard time getting a meeting with a founder of Stripe than, say, someone from the '14 summer class.