If %50 of the value of YC is the fact that they require startups to locate in Boston or SF, then any startup who doesn't get into YC can get %60 of the benefit by simply relocating.

Seriously, I hope that %50 of the "benefit" of YC is not moveing to an expensive location where every resource you could need for a business is constrained.

I've seen no evidence that locating outside of SF or MA reduces your chances of success. (Though this is often claimed, of course.)

"where every resource you could need for a business is constrained"

Every resource except:

Money. The Valley has money like you wouldn't believe. Everything worth anything gets funded. If you can pull out a nice demo and sign on a few paying customers, you will get money--more than enough to make up for the cost of living.

People who understand what you're doing. There are dozens or hundreds of "startup" attorneys here...and nowhere else. There are dozens or hundreds of "startup" accountants here...and nowhere else. There are always events happening that will bring you into contact with other entrepreneurs.

I've started a company outside of the valley (started in Houston and moved to Austin, which is no slouch as far as technology goes) and I've started one in the valley. The valley is better.

There's a lot of irony there, but I don't know how to make you see it.

The traditional claims for success/failure of companies inside/outside of the valley comes from Venture Capitalists who have years worth of statistics coming from their own investments.

The stats point to a change in percentage chance of success for any incremental distance from Palo Alto/Mountain View that a venture funded company is moved. (I don't know the numbers offhand - but it's significant, even down to whole percent numbers per 10 miles if I remember correctly)

From someone who's recently been talking to many people about the choice to live in Boston, Mountain View/Palo Alto, San Fran - or somewhere else, every person (investor/entrepreneur/historian) points to MV/PA.

Many people (and firms like Sequoia ...etc) won't invest unless you're in the valley.

You're giving me rumor and second hand inuendo and no stats. You say you can't remember them offhand, but I don't think you ever heard any-- that weren't made up on the spot.

The fact of the matter is, there are many very successful startups in Seattle, Portland, Chicago, New York, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, etc. etc. etc.

People in the BAY AREA think that the BAY AREA is necessary for success for a startup.

But they are not taking from any kind of a scientific knowledge.

Its just provincial arrogance.

They have different aims with this program, they're doing what they can to take make Vienna/Europe better for startups.

Certainly the value of YCombinator is bringing interesting people together. I don't think the Valley is the only place in the world with interesting people, though.

YEurope doesn't look too promising, though - the cloning approach leaves a negative impression. If they are so cutting edge, surely they would have been able to come up with their own scheme.

Also, they don't say how they will come up with interesting speakers.

take a look at http://metalab.at/wiki/Folder:V5a-en - we've spent years building up a thriving community. we had planned to launch in 2008 with the money from our first successful startups, but half a week ago the opportunity has arisen to start in 2007. we could have spent more time pretending to look different like techstars has done, but what good would that do? we rather launch now and face the critics.

we are openly copying the concept of ycombinator, akin to copying the concept of an university. we are neither trying to hide that fact nor arguing against it. time will tell if our approach works. but a verbatim copy of the implementation in europe certainly wouldn't work, and how such an implementation could look, this is what we have concentrated our thought and deeds on.

Hi YEurope! I am part of the Ycombinator batch that started this January. I dont understand the voices that are negative about other startup incubators like yours etc. The more initiatives that enable ideas to become companies, the better I say. So I say go for it!

hey I wasnt sure if your website was serious at first, or trying to make fun of Ycomb since you have pics of those guys sitting in the street with fake graphs...

yeah, and how about YNotEurope, or ECombinator for name? :)

I agree that in general it is better to do anything than nothing. Maybe you should just make it a little bit clearer on the web page why you copied YCombinator, and what background experiences you have, to evoke more trust.

Your metalab looks interesting (wish there was something like it where I live), and I think Vienna is a great city (much better than the Valley, I suspect). I wish you success with the venture!