[diminish]

Getting more popular ~2010 lures more 'big-dreamers' to flood into YC. It's the same thing as the Ivy League effect on universities where top talent chooses top universities which yield top science/business champions in a virtuous cycle. YC's actions to increase batch size, open a startup school are all going to have bigger "net" effect.

Timing-wise the web2.0 and then smartphone waves as business disruptors have their trace on the numbers as well as the prolongation of the market boom with increased venture money and the network effect of YC alumni.

Risks include a market correction, post-smartphone bets, applicants more apt to 'gaming' the YC acceptance process.

I would like more numbers on competition (other accelerators), overall startup market, and the YC batch size.