I've got friends who tell me they'd never consider applying for YC because they are on a classic H1B with a tech company. What typically happens with folks on a H1B who make it into YC?
That's hard to respond to other than to say that there are multiple visas that allow participation in accelerators and training programs.
That makes sense ... is there a typical path? Basically - are they right in thinking it's a high risk thing for them or should I encourage them to take a shot?
My understanding is that their time spent on the company before YC accepts them is the biggest risk factor?
No I don't think it's high risk at all because even if the path were something other than H-1B, they always could go back to H-1B.
As a non-lawyer, it seems that you'd have to leave your company to join YC, meaning you'd forfeit your H1B visa.