[kamaal]

>>having that endorsement opens all kinds of doors.

This might be the most important of all things. People pay big money to get into Ivy Leagues because its assumed the smartest study there, and then come out even better. Access to a rich, powerful and well connected Alumni, which has a mutual interest in defending each other to keep the value of their network high is best thing you can ever have in your career.

Probably not many people get into YC for the initial money these days. Its just access to that network and the alumni.