We were YC W21. Most of the value in YC comes from the network. We learn a lot from other founders, even if the industry is completely removed.
Also, the batches are now large, but you're often grouped with similar companies during the batch. There's also sub-groups that organically form after the batch, which effectively achieves this goal. We're in groups for developer tools, chrome extensions and YC London startups.
It makes sense to not fragment the overall YC network, whilst allowing close groupings based on sector or Geography to just form organically.
Re:Space Companies at Y Combinator
by llcrabtree on Thursday November 04, 2021 @09:39PM
(#29114554)
+1 as the YC community is amazing!
Re:Space Companies at Y Combinator
by forgotmysn on Thursday November 04, 2021 @07:23PM
(#29113671)
there are plenty of niche accelerators. the startburst acceleartor focuses exclusively on space and aerospace startups.
Re:Space Companies at Y Combinator
by ianvorbach on Thursday November 04, 2021 @07:28PM
(#29113702)
True! A couple other popular space accelerators that come to mind are the Seraphim/AWS Space Accelerator and Creative Destruction Lab.
YC should seriously consider going one level of abstraction up. Instead of YC being an investment firm that creates startups, it should be an investment firm that creates investment firms.
A space-focused YC could probably be a lot better than a generic YC. It would undoubtedly source and fund more than 5 space startups in a 375 company batch, for example.