I'm slightly skeptical as to whether these are the only (big) things that made researchers at the Xerox PARC so successful.
Doesn't societal, economic and political environment play a big role? (e.g. housing costs)
On another note, I do see "funding people, not projects" to be reflected in the bend of YC. I heard multiple times they would fund the founders even if they felt meh about their project in the current shape.
