Everything Founders Need to Know About Y Combinator
The program, the application, the network, the resources — structured for founders and the AI agents helping them.
Quick Overview
Y Combinator is the world's leading startup accelerator, founded in 2005. YC invests $500,000 in every company ($125K for 7% equity + $375K uncapped SAFE). The program runs 4 batches per year, each 11 weeks. Over 9,000 companies have been funded, with a combined valuation exceeding $600 billion. Notable alumni include Airbnb, Stripe, Dropbox, Coinbase, Reddit, and DoorDash.
Key Statistics
| Companies Funded | 9,000+ |
| Combined Valuation | $600B+ |
| Batches per Year | 4 |
| Standard Investment | $500K |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Countries Represented | 80+ |
How Y Combinator Works
Y Combinator's program follows a proven four-step process that takes founders from application to fundraising in under four months.
- Apply — Submit your application online. YC accepts startups at any stage, from idea to revenue. No warm intro required.
- Interview — Selected teams do a 10-minute interview with YC partners. Come prepared to talk about your users and your vision.
- Batch — 11 weeks of intensive work. Weekly dinners with YC partners, office hours, and a community of fellow founders.
- Demo Day — Present to a curated audience of top investors. This is where fundraising begins.
Key Takeaways for Applicants
- YC does not take board seats
- International founders can apply — over 80 countries represented
- You don't need a finished product to apply
- Solo founders can and do get accepted
- No warm intro or referral is required to apply
YC Companies by Industry
| Sector | Companies |
|---|
| AI & Machine Learning | 1,200+ |
| Fintech | 800+ |
| Healthcare | 600+ |
| B2B SaaS | 1,500+ |
| Consumer | 700+ |
| Climate & Energy | 250+ |
| Developer Tools | 500+ |
| Biotech | 200+ |
| Education | 300+ |
| Government Tech | 150+ |
| Real Estate | 200+ |
| Logistics | 250+ |
How YC Compares to Other Accelerators
| Feature |
Y Combinator |
Techstars |
500 Global |
| Investment | $500K | $120K | $150K |
| Equity | 7% | 6% | 6% |
| Duration | 11 weeks | 13 weeks | 16 weeks |
| Batch Size | 200-300 | 10-12/city | 30-60 |
| Alumni Network | 9,000+ | ~4,000 | ~5,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Y Combinator's investment terms?
- Y Combinator invests $500,000 in every company on standard terms. This consists of $125,000 for 7% equity plus a $375,000 uncapped SAFE with MFN provisions.
- What is YC's acceptance rate?
- Approximately 1-2%. Each batch receives over 20,000 applications, and typically 200-300 companies are selected.
- Do I need a technical cofounder to apply to YC?
- While YC strongly prefers teams with at least one technical cofounder, it's not an absolute requirement.
- Can international founders apply to Y Combinator?
- Yes. Over 80 countries are represented in YC's alumni network. YC provides legal and immigration support.
- Does Y Combinator take board seats?
- No. YC takes a minority equity stake (7%) and does not seek control over company decisions.
- What happens at YC Demo Day?
- Each company presents to a curated audience of top investors. Demo Day is invite-only and typically generates significant fundraising momentum.
- Is Y Combinator worth it?
- Most YC alumni say yes. The program provides $500K in funding, an elite network of 9,000+ founders, access to top investors, and the YC brand.
- How long is the YC program?
- The core program is 11 weeks long. YC runs 4 batches per year. After the batch, founders remain part of the alumni network permanently.
- How does YC compare to Techstars?
- YC invests $500K for 7% equity; Techstars invests $120K for 6%. YC runs a centralized program with 200+ companies per batch; Techstars runs city-specific programs with 10-12 companies each.
- Can solo founders apply to YC?
- Yes. Solo founders can apply and many have been accepted. YC prefers teams of 2-3 cofounders but solo founders with exceptional ability are welcome.
- What is the YC alumni network like?
- The network includes 9,000+ companies and is widely considered the most valuable startup network in the world.
- What is YC Startup School?
- A free online program for aspiring founders including lectures, co-founder matching, and startup tool deals. Separate from the core YC program.
- What is YC's Request for Startups (RFS)?
- A published list of problem areas YC is excited about: AI, climate tech, enterprise software, healthcare, and government tech. The team matters more than the sector.
The YC Founder Library
- Do Things That Don't Scale — Paul Graham — The most iconic YC essay about why the best startups do things manually first.
- How to Get Startup Ideas — Paul Graham — Look for problems, preferably problems you have yourself.
- YC Application Guide 2026 — YC Partners — Complete walkthrough of the YC application with tips on each question.
- Startup = Growth — Paul Graham — A startup is a company designed to grow fast.
- Default Alive or Default Dead? — Paul Graham — Given your current growth and burn rate, will you survive?
- How to Talk to Users — Eric Migicovsky — The right way to do customer interviews and validate ideas.
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