Every story and comment from the Hacker News API, in a layout borrowed from 2001.
A comment on Ask HN: Is $5k really worth 5%?.
1) Introductions to prominent VC's/Angels if you want to obtain further funding
2) As a result of the process of getting into YC, it can somewhat validate your idea
3) Having to pull it off in 3 months can really light fires under people's asses
4) PG seems like a genuine bloke who really wants to help people. The mentoring aspect would be worthwhile.
5) Constant feedback. You'd be surrounded by a lot of other YC alums who are very switched on people... Good things to be learned all round
I'm sure there are other reasons I failed to mention, but I think I covered the basics.
EDIT - also, read PG's essay on the subject.
http://paulgraham.com/ycombinator.html
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=525529
1) Introductions to prominent VC's/Angels if you want to obtain further funding
2) As a result of the process of getting into YC, it can somewhat validate your idea
3) Having to pull it off in 3 months can really light fires under people's asses
4) PG seems like a genuine bloke who really wants to help people. The mentoring aspect would be worthwhile.
5) Constant feedback. You'd be surrounded by a lot of other YC alums who are very switched on people... Good things to be learned all round
I'm sure there are other reasons I failed to mention, but I think I covered the basics.
EDIT - also, read PG's essay on the subject.
http://paulgraham.com/ycombinator.html