Opinion certainty 3/5 debate potential 3/5

Y Combinator acceptance is a better seal of approval than Stanford MBA

Nicolas Michaelsen · 20 VC 032: Inside Y Combinator with Nicolas Michaelsen, Founder @ AirHelp · Apr 30, 2015 · at 9:42

Nicolas Michaelsen, co-founder of AirHelp, reflects on the prestige and long-term brand equity gained from being accepted into Y Combinator.

0:00 / 0:11exact quote · 11.5s
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“And it just, it gives you a seal of approval that you know, that will affect you for many years to come. We jokingly refer to it as better than a Stanford MBA.”

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Assertion Supported
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Assertion Not publicly verifiable
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Assertion Not checkable as stated
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Assertion Supported
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