Lightspeed is also free money. They give $10,000 per person without taking any equity. Other than the requirement to primarily work out of lightspeed, the programs aren't mutually exclusive. So you could get away with working out of Lightspeed's office and flying to Boston weekly for the YC dinner. With funding from both you could even afford to pull it off.
I really don't understand this "YC or nothing" mentality. The funding to live comfortably really helps out, plus the free legal work. The legal work is what really kills you when you're bootstrapping.
I should have done more research before making my comment.. Lightspeed does seem like a pretty sweet deal. My "YC or nothing" comment was focused more on the YC clones. I totally agree with you on the legal side and bootstrapping yourself. Definitely not looking forward to that if we are not accepted.
Best of luck to those who applied for Lightspeed..
RMS, This is my viewpoint, i have always gone for either best or nothing, just like 1 or 0, there isnt any thing in between. I stand by what i say, even though i have no proof to show or say that i applied to YC and no where else. But i am honest in saying what i practice.
I really don't understand this "YC or nothing" mentality. The funding to live comfortably really helps out, plus the free legal work. The legal work is what really kills you when you're bootstrapping.