Question:

- I am older, established, and have done a number of successful startups in various roles.

- I have a family and can't spend a summer in California.

- I don't need the seed funding YCombinator provides, but I don't mind it either. I can self-fund a bit

However, I'd truly enjoy the experience, and with my next startup, I'd be glad to trade off the equity to be in the YC community. I think I'd learn a lot from it, since YC does startups very differently than I have (learning might go both ways!).

Does it make sense to engage with YC in any way next time I do a startup (or before)? Or am I far enough outside the target demographic?

As two times YC founder, you fit 100% in what YC invests.

As someone in a similar scenario to the comment you're replying to, I feel like we 0% fit because of this:

> I have a family and can't spend a summer in California.

I'm curious: Why two-time?

It feels to me that YC would generate enormous value the first time. It feels like there might be very strongly diminishing returns on investment after that. My impression is that the equity YC receives, relative to funding, is quite high, and most of the network / learning / etc. would happen on round one (This is a comment about me to give context for my likely naive question, not a comment about YC; I'm explaining in hopes you'll explain how I'm wrong. Given you did it twice, I am aware my thinking here is probably wrong, and I need to share my misconception to have it addressed)

There is no target demographic, so I wouldn't think in those terms. Also, last I heard, there wasn't a hard requirement to spend the entire program in California, although most founders do. Your track record with previous startups should certainly help. I'm biased but I'd say go for it!