Y Combinator
Globalby Y Combinator
Y Combinator is the world's most prestigious startup accelerator, investing $500,000 in early-stage companies through its iconic 3-month batch program. YC has funded over 5,000 startups including Airbnb, Stripe, Dropbox, and Reddit.
Apply Now$500,000 investment
3 months (batch) + ongoing support
Global
Open to founders of any age, nationality, and background. At least one founder must be able to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area for the 3-month batch. Companies at any stage from idea to post-revenue are eligible.
Four batches/year; now accepting for Fall 2026 (Oct–Dec, San Francisco)
7/11/2026
July 27, 2026
About This Fellowship
Y Combinator is widely regarded as the most influential startup accelerator in the world. Founded in 2005 by Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Robert Morris, and Trevor Blackwell, YC has funded over 5,000 companies with a combined valuation exceeding $600 billion. The program runs twice a year in San Francisco, with each batch accepting roughly 200-250 companies.
YC invests $500,000 in each startup: $125,000 for 7% equity through the standard deal, plus $375,000 on an uncapped SAFE. In return, founders get three months of intensive mentorship, weekly dinners with successful founders and investors, and access to the most powerful alumni network in startups. The batch culminates in Demo Day, where companies pitch to a curated audience of top investors.
The YC alumni network is unmatched. Companies like Airbnb, Stripe, Coinbase, DoorDash, Instacart, Reddit, Dropbox, Twitch, and Cruise all went through YC. The "YC mafia" effect means that being a YC company opens doors with customers, partners, recruits, and investors for years after the program.
What You Get
YC provides funding, mentorship, and the most powerful startup network in the world.
- $500,000 total investment ($125K for 7% + $375K uncapped SAFE)
- 3-month intensive batch program in San Francisco
- Weekly office hours with YC partners (experienced founders and investors)
- Weekly dinners with successful founders and domain experts
- Demo Day presentation to 1,000+ top investors
- Lifetime access to the YC alumni network (5,000+ companies)
- Bookface internal platform for founder-to-founder help
- Group partner assigned to work closely with your company
What They Look For
YC evaluates founders first and ideas second. They are looking for determined people who can build quickly and adapt.
- Strong technical founding teams (at least one technical co-founder preferred)
- Clear understanding of the problem you are solving and for whom
- Evidence of velocity — what have you built or shipped recently?
- Large market opportunity with a credible path to growth
- Founder-market fit: why are you the right team for this problem?
- Solo founders are accepted but co-founding teams are preferred
- All stages welcome, from idea-stage to post-revenue
How to Apply
The YC application is famously short and focused on substance over polish.
- Apply online at ycombinator.com/apply — the form takes 30-60 minutes
- Short-answer questions about your team, product, market, and traction
- Optional 1-minute demo video showing your product in action
- Finalists invited for a 10-minute interview (in person or over video)
- Interviews are rapid-fire Q&A — be concise and honest
- Decisions are communicated within days of the interview
- You can (and many do) apply multiple times before being accepted
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Frequently asked questions
How much funding does the YC provide?
Y Combinator provides $500,000 investment. The program runs for 3 months (batch) + ongoing support.
When is the YC application deadline?
The current deadline is July 27, 2026. Application cycle: Four batches/year; now accepting for Fall 2026 (Oct–Dec, San Francisco). Applications are currently open.
Who is eligible for the YC?
Open to founders of any age, nationality, and background. At least one founder must be able to relocate to the San Francisco Bay Area for the 3-month batch. Companies at any stage from idea to post-revenue are eligible. Geographic scope: Global.
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