One thing I've heard about other incubators is that they demand a large amount of your attention, in a way that is more like working for them rather than as your own boss. This is interesting because it would seem to challenge the entrepreneurs' drive for independence, which could be harmful to their success. Contrast this with YC which gives you more independence and simply offers "office hours" and weekly meals, where it's up to you to make the most of them.
Yes. This is a great point. I've been involved in a startup and advisory capacity with a handful. The good ones are clearly working for their startups. They gain success through their startups. In the bad ones, it feels like the reverse - the startups are working for the accelerator. The difference was clear to me.
A secondary question is whether those interactions bring value. It's okay to be busy with engagements if those engagements are truly helping.
Has anyone else experienced this?