[onion2k]

For: A massive network of people you can draw on that surpasses literally anything you could build yourself. A decent chunk of money.

Against: Giving up a bit of equity, but if you're precious about that you wouldn't be considering YC.

[hahahahhaah]

Are you "giving up a bit of equity"? I think more accurately you are pointing your front tyres towards a path of aiming for fast growth and investment. YC doesn't want 7% of a $1m arr Haskell consultancy as the endgame for your company for example. They want a shot at a 10B company. See their home page and it now gives that vibe.

So more like you are giving a large chunk of equity for a lot of investment over many years to build a unicorn, unless you fail. Which most likely you will. Based on probabilities. Fail may mean getting some $ though.