Is there any other program than YC that has a similarly high reputation. Maybe Techstars or 500Startups. I heard that those programs are quite good but not very good compared to YC.
I did YC in 2012 and am in Techstars NYC currently with a new company.<p>YC's reputation is probably 2x stronger than Techstars, but that doesn't directly translate to a 2x higher value-add.<p>Both programs are <i>a lot</i> different and will jumpstart your company. They've both been 100% worth it.<p>Note: Techstars programs between cities can be dramatically different (different people running each city), so I can only speak for Techstars NYC.
Techstars has produced several fairly successful companies:<p><a href="http://www.techstars.com/companies/stats/" rel="nofollow">http://www.techstars.com/companies/stats/</a><p>Doesn't seem bad to me.