I respectfully disagree, Paul. Startups going through your program are rated "Grade A Prime" because of your vetting process. Any angel worth his salt in the Valley will talk to a YC company, if for the only reason of not to cheese you off.
A lot of the guys attending Hackers and Founders aren't quite so luck. If you're starting from scratch and going from two guys in a garage, through, getting introductions and meetings with individual angels, and raising a round that way, I it tends to take a lot longer than a couple of weeks. That is, if you are able to raise money at all.
At least that's my birds eye view from the guys attending Hackers and Founders.
A lot of the guys attending Hackers and Founders aren't quite so luck. If you're starting from scratch and going from two guys in a garage, through, getting introductions and meetings with individual angels, and raising a round that way, I it tends to take a lot longer than a couple of weeks. That is, if you are able to raise money at all.
At least that's my birds eye view from the guys attending Hackers and Founders.