The $150k offer reminds me of a rumor about the way in which Subway selected franchise locations back in the 1980's.
Subway wouldn't do extensive market research or study traffic counts. Instead, they would see where there was a McDonalds franchise and then open a franchise in the same catchment area. At least that was the rumor (not to compare YC to McDonalds or Hamburger University).
I thought Starbucks had simply reversed the process. They appear to open a coffee shop on every corner (sometimes several on the same corner) and just close the ones that don't do well.
I heard the rumor about Burger King (combined with the idea that McDonalds would do the extensive market research and study traffic counts and so forth.)
Subway wouldn't do extensive market research or study traffic counts. Instead, they would see where there was a McDonalds franchise and then open a franchise in the same catchment area. At least that was the rumor (not to compare YC to McDonalds or Hamburger University).