Out of curiosity, would you mind sharing some of those potentially better programs? I've also been trying to compile a thourough list, but the options don't seem better (in fact, all are plan B..Z)
e.g. Entrepreneur First ( especially their EU and UK offering), Founders Factory, Haatch, Seqouia Surge, ...
PearX is probably more selective than YC but at least if you're in the SF area, seems to be more of a real accelerator. (And not just for "get more money before demo day.")
AI Grant investment is probably going to give you way better access and actual tangible assistance:
There are others but these are the things that really stood out. We will go directly to investors too, hopefully someone in our network sees the potential and is willing to throw us some pre-seed to get it started.
I don't think the YC Standard Deal is bad, and I might try again next time, but there are things about the program that I think are not worth the time/money, and I'm not at all sure "access to their network" is any better than (even as good as) the same access from a different set of VCs.
My only complaint is that keeping everyone hanging on until May 29, ready to clear our plates in June, and then giving absolutely zero feedback for the rejection, was the sort of blatantly self-interested and founder-unfriendly move that, I suppose, it’s good to remember happens a lot in VC Land.