Thinking out loud for #4. If YC becomes the major choke point. I can then see the emergence of another "Pre YC" stage forming. In this stage you are mentored (by perhaps YC alumnus) to maximize your chances of becoming funded by YC. Eventually certain organization will then again stand out as producing the highest rate/number of YC funded talents and becomes the new choke point... and then the process repeats for the YC of YCs?