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<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en"><head><title>About Y Combinator | Y Combinator</title><meta name="csrf-param" content="authenticity_token" /> <meta name="csrf-token" content="lJDhoYEqhl3CGVxGIaE0OqBpocy7C9QNaPb1V0HQEuw3z-UqlAj2hk7HTzll5RAv5oxZl_VuAqbGkXekcHVzFg" /><meta charset="utf-8" /><meta content="IE=edge;chrome=1" http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" /><script nonce="FFEtBrNzf2J9dqYLmeXR/A==">(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){ (i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o), m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m) })(window,document,'script','//www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js','ga'); ga('create', 'UA-51714649-1', 'auto'); ga('require', 'linkid', 'linkid.js'); ga('send', 'pageview'); (function(e,t){var n=e.amplitude||{_q:[],_iq:{}};var r=t.createElement("script") ;r.type="text/javascript" ;r.integrity="sha384-9jIJQlEp6cEk6foaEO/N5yzaJmQbTtugbpg9l8P/javk55WlPh7fJGR1vHhyDjON" ;r.crossOrigin="anonymous" ;r.async=true ;r.defer=true ;r.src="https://cdn.amplitude.com/libs/amplitude-8.4.0-min.gz.js" ;r.onload=function(){if(!e.amplitude.runQueuedFunctions){ console.log("[Amplitude] Error: could not load SDK")}} ;var i=t.getElementsByTagName("script")[0];i.parentNode.insertBefore(r,i) ;function s(e,t){e.prototype[t]=function(){ this._q.push([t].concat(Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,0)));return this}} var o=function(){this._q=[];return this} ;var a=["add","append","clearAll","prepend","set","setOnce","unset","preInsert","postInsert","remove"] ;for(var c=0;c<a.length;c++){s(o,a[c])}n.Identify=o;var u=function(){this._q=[] ;return this} ;var l=["setProductId","setQuantity","setPrice","setRevenueType","setEventProperties"] ;for(var p=0;p<l.length;p++){s(u,l[p])}n.Revenue=u ;var d=["init","logEvent","logRevenue","setUserId","setUserProperties","setOptOut","setVersionName","setDomain","setDeviceId","enableTracking","setGlobalUserProperties","identify","clearUserProperties","setGroup","logRevenueV2","regenerateDeviceId","groupIdentify","onInit","logEventWithTimestamp","logEventWithGroups","setSessionId","resetSessionId"] ;function v(e){function t(t){e[t]=function(){ e._q.push([t].concat(Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments,0)))}} for(var n=0;n<d.length;n++){t(d[n])}}v(n);n.getInstance=function(e){ e=(!e||e.length===0?"$default_instance":e).toLowerCase() ;if(!Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(n._iq,e)){n._iq[e]={_q:[]};v(n._iq[e]) }return n._iq[e]};e.amplitude=n})(window,document); function isAmplitudeLoaded() { return !!window.amplitude.runQueuedFunctions } function parseUrl(url){ var a = document.createElement('a'); a.href = url; return { href: a.href, host: a.host || location.host, port: ('0' === a.port || '' === a.port) ? port(a.protocol) : a.port, hash: a.hash, hostname: a.hostname || location.hostname, pathname: a.pathname.charAt(0) != '/' ? 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id=\"introductionpeople-often-ask-us-what-happens-at-y-combinator-here-is-an-overview-of-what-happens-during-the-yc-program-and-the-benefits-you-get-as-a-yc-founder-you-can-read-more-about-why-you-should-apply-to-yc-herethe-yc-programyc-is-a-three-month-program-we-now-run-yc-four-times-a-year-in-the-winter-spring-summer-and-fall-heres-what-happens-during-the-three-months-of-ycthe-goalthe-overall-goal-of-yc-is-to-help-startups-really-take-off-they-arrive-at-yc-at-all-different-stages-some-havent-even-started-working-yet-and-others-have-been-launched-for-a-year-or-more-but-whatever-stage-a-startup-is-at-when-they-arrive-our-goal-is-to-help-them-to-be-in-dramatically-better-shape-3-months-laterfor-most-startups-better-shape-translates-into-two-things-to-have-a-better-product-with-more-users-and-to-have-more-options-for-raising-moneystartups-at-all-stages-benefit-from-the-intensity-of-yc-thats-probably-the-best-word-to-describe-the-atmosphere-for-3-months-its-all-startup-all-the-time-everyone-around-youus-the-other-founders-in-your-batch-the-alumni-the-speakers-the-investorswants-to-help-your-startup-succeed-in-that-atmosphere-its-hard-not-to-be-highly-motivated-and-that-kind-of-extraordinary-motivation-is-what-one-needs-to-do-something-as-difficult-as-starting-a-startupmany-founders-describe-the-11-weeks-leading-up-to-demo-day-as-the-most-productive-period-in-their-lives-though-yc-continues-after-the-3-month-cycle-and-the-alumni-community-is-an-increasingly-valuable-resource-those-11-weeks-are-still-the-most-important-thing-you-cant-make-people-something-theyre-not-but-the-right-conditions-can-bring-out-the-best-in-them-and-since-most-people-have-way-more-potential-than-they-realize-theyre-often-surprised-by-what-theyre-capable-offundingyc-invests-500000-in-every-company-on-standard-terms-our-500k-investment-is-made-on-2-separate-safeswe-invest-125000-on-a-postmoney-safe-in-return-for-7-of-your-company-the-125k-safewe-invest-375000-on-an-uncapped-safe-with-a-most-favored-nation-mfn-provision-the-mfn-safegroupsduring-the-batch-startups-are-sorted-into-4-groups-each-group-is-led-by-group-partners-who-advise-the-founders-in-oneonone-and-group-office-hours-each-group-is-split-into-sections-610-companies-so-that-founders-get-the-benefit-of-an-intimate-setting-within-the-larger-batchoffice-hoursmuch-of-what-takes-place-at-yc-happens-during-office-hours-group-partners-host-group-office-hours-every-two-weeks-and-oneonone-office-hours-as-often-as-founders-want-what-startups-talk-about-at-office-hours-depends-on-the-stage-of-the-company-and-where-they-are-in-the-yc-cyclebookfacebookface-is-the-platform-founders-use-to-connect-to-one-anotherimagine-a-combination-of-facebook-quora-and-linkedin-each-founder-has-a-profile-and-can-tag-themselves-as-an-expert-in-any-topic-if-you-have-a-question-need-an-introduction-or-want-to-poll-for-knowledge-you-can-post-the-request-to-the-forum-on-bookface-the-knowledge-base-of-the-yc-community-is-both-broad-and-deepthe-community-includes-founders-who-are-the-worlds-foremost-experts-in-everything-from-security-to-community-building-to-nuclear-energybatch-retreatin-the-first-few-weeks-of-the-batch-we-host-a-3day-inperson-retreat-the-retreat-gives-founders-the-opportunity-to-get-to-know-each-other-their-group-partners-and-the-yc-teamalumni-talksevery-week-we-invite-an-eminent-person-from-the-startup-world-to-speak-most-speakers-are-successful-startup-founders--the-founders-of-airbnb-stripe-doordash-and-ginkgo-bioworks-often-come-back-to-tell-the-inside-story-of-what-happened-in-the-early-days-of-their-startups-talks-are-strictly-off-the-record-to-encourage-candor-because-the-inside-story-of-most-startups-is-more-colorful-than-the-one-presented-later-to-the-publicpublic-launchesonce-a-startup-has-something-built-thats-ready-to-launch-we-help-founders-figure-out-how-to-present-it-to-users-and-the-press-we-prepare-founders-for-launches-on-community-sites-like-product-hunt-and-hacker-news-and-for-their-first-press-pitches-and-interviewsfirst-customersb2b-and-consumer-companies-often-get-their-first-4050-paying-customers-from-the-yc-community-with-that-you-not-only-get-first-customers-you-get-the-smartest-early-product-feedback-possibleweekly-meetupsthroughout-the-batch-we-host-weekly-meetups-in-san-francisco-these-events-often-feature-special-guests-like-the-founders-of-yc-and-successful-yc-foundersdemo-dayon-demo-day-the-latest-batch-of-y-combinatorfunded-founders-present-their-companies-to-an-audience-of-specially-selected-investors-and-press-we-doubt-theres-another-occasion-when-such-a-large-percentage-of-the-top-startup-investors-have-their-attention-focused-on-the-same-thingin-the-weeks-following-demo-day-we-keep-in-close-touch-with-the-startups-as-they-negotiate-the-fundraising-maze-and-help-them-decipher-the-real-messages-in-investors-sometimes-deliberately-ambiguous-responses-often-we-talk-to-the-investors-ourselves-to-find-out-what-theyre-really-thinking-about-a-particular-startup-because-ycfunded-startups-are-a-known-quantity-to-investors-and-get-introduced-to-enough-of-them-to-create-serious-price-competition-companies-tend-to-get-higher-valuations-than-they-might-otherwisebeyond-the-batchyc-doesnt-stop-after-the-3-month-program-ends-here-are-some-of-the-resources-available-to-yc-alumni-as-their-companies-growadviceongoing-office-hoursoffice-hours-dont-stop-after-the-yc-program-we-have-office-hours-year-round-and-startups-from-all-previous-cycles-can-book-time-whenever-they-wantcommunityalumni-communitytoday-the-yc-alumni-community-is-probably-the-most-powerful-community-in-the-startup-world-its-powerful-not-just-because-of-its-size-but-also-because-its-members-have-such-a-strong-commitment-to-helping-one-another-a-culture-of-helpfulness-has-been-an-important-part-of-yc-since-the-beginning-and-founders-know-that-if-they-ever-come-across-a-challenge-they-need-help-with-they-not-only-have-the-partners-at-their-disposal-they-have-6000-domain-experts-they-can-call-onalumni-reunioneach-year-yc-hosts-a-formal-gathering-of-alumni-exciting-things-happen-when-you-bring-founders-together--ideas-are-exchanged-deals-get-made-problem-solving-happens-amongst-peersfounder-communitiesfounders-have-access-to-whatsapp-groups-and-bookface-channels-that-reach-specific-communities-there-are-lists-for-hardware-biotech-edtech-nonprofits-international-women-founders-black-founders-hispanic-and-latino-founders-and-morealumni-demo-dayactive-yc-founders-get-an-early-look-at-the-yc-companies-in-each-batch-at-alumni-demo-daydealseach-yc-company-receives-access-to-discounts-and-free-accounts-for-over-100-products-some-of-these-are-highly-significant-including-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-of-free-hosting-for-each-company-provided-by-major-cloud-hosting-companiesbrandcredibilitywhen-one-company-in-yc-does-well-the-whole-community-benefits-because-yc-has-such-a-strong-track-record-early-adopters-investors-and-press-are-often-more-willing-to-take-a-look-at-yc-founders-even-if-theyre-first-time-founderscompany-directoryyc-companies-are-showcased-in-the-yc-startup-directory-our-startups-can-be-filtered-and-discovered-by-potential-customers-investors-or-hireshiringwork-at-a-startupwork-at-a-startup-helps-yc-founders-build-their-team--from-first-employees-to-vps-of-product-and-operations-thousands-of-jobseekers-across-hundreds-of-yc-companies-have-landed-roles-through-the-platform-and-extended-yc-communityhacker-newshn-is-a-news-aggregator-where-users-can-find-and-discuss-the-latest-news-and-submit-content-on-anything-that-gratifies-ones-intellectual-curiosity-yc-alumni-also-post-engineering-product-and-design-jobs-on-hn\"><body id=\"introductionpeople-often-ask-us-what-happens-at-y-combinator-here-is-an-overview-of-what-happens-during-the-yc-program-and-the-benefits-you-get-as-a-yc-founder-you-can-read-more-about-why-you-should-apply-to-yc-herethe-yc-programyc-is-a-three-month-program-we-now-run-yc-four-times-a-year-in-the-winter-spring-summer-and-fall-heres-what-happens-during-the-three-months-of-ycthe-goalthe-overall-goal-of-yc-is-to-help-startups-really-take-off-they-arrive-at-yc-at-all-different-stages-some-havent-even-started-working-yet-and-others-have-been-launched-for-a-year-or-more-but-whatever-stage-a-startup-is-at-when-they-arrive-our-goal-is-to-help-them-to-be-in-dramatically-better-shape-3-months-laterfor-most-startups-better-shape-translates-into-two-things-to-have-a-better-product-with-more-users-and-to-have-more-options-for-raising-moneystartups-at-all-stages-benefit-from-the-intensity-of-yc-thats-probably-the-best-word-to-describe-the-atmosphere-for-3-months-its-all-startup-all-the-time-everyone-around-youus-the-other-founders-in-your-batch-the-alumni-the-speakers-the-investorswants-to-help-your-startup-succeed-in-that-atmosphere-its-hard-not-to-be-highly-motivated-and-that-kind-of-extraordinary-motivation-is-what-one-needs-to-do-something-as-difficult-as-starting-a-startupmany-founders-describe-the-11-weeks-leading-up-to-demo-day-as-the-most-productive-period-in-their-lives-though-yc-continues-after-the-3-month-cycle-and-the-alumni-community-is-an-increasingly-valuable-resource-those-11-weeks-are-still-the-most-important-thing-you-cant-make-people-something-theyre-not-but-the-right-conditions-can-bring-out-the-best-in-them-and-since-most-people-have-way-more-potential-than-they-realize-theyre-often-surprised-by-what-theyre-capable-offundingyc-invests-500000-in-every-company-on-standard-terms-our-500k-investment-is-made-on-2-separate-safeswe-invest-125000-on-a-postmoney-safe-in-return-for-7-of-your-company-the-125k-safewe-invest-375000-on-an-uncapped-safe-with-a-most-favored-nation-mfn-provision-the-mfn-safegroupsduring-the-batch-startups-are-sorted-into-4-groups-each-group-is-led-by-group-partners-who-advise-the-founders-in-oneonone-and-group-office-hours-each-group-is-split-into-sections-610-companies-so-that-founders-get-the-benefit-of-an-intimate-setting-within-the-larger-batchoffice-hoursmuch-of-what-takes-place-at-yc-happens-during-office-hours-group-partners-host-group-office-hours-every-two-weeks-and-oneonone-office-hours-as-often-as-founders-want-what-startups-talk-about-at-office-hours-depends-on-the-stage-of-the-company-and-where-they-are-in-the-yc-cyclebookfacebookface-is-the-platform-founders-use-to-connect-to-one-anotherimagine-a-combination-of-facebook-quora-and-linkedin-each-founder-has-a-profile-and-can-tag-themselves-as-an-expert-in-any-topic-if-you-have-a-question-need-an-introduction-or-want-to-poll-for-knowledge-you-can-post-the-request-to-the-forum-on-bookface-the-knowledge-base-of-the-yc-community-is-both-broad-and-deepthe-community-includes-founders-who-are-the-worlds-foremost-experts-in-everything-from-security-to-community-building-to-nuclear-energybatch-retreatin-the-first-few-weeks-of-the-batch-we-host-a-3day-inperson-retreat-the-retreat-gives-founders-the-opportunity-to-get-to-know-each-other-their-group-partners-and-the-yc-teamalumni-talksevery-week-we-invite-an-eminent-person-from-the-startup-world-to-speak-most-speakers-are-successful-startup-founders--the-founders-of-airbnb-stripe-doordash-and-ginkgo-bioworks-often-come-back-to-tell-the-inside-story-of-what-happened-in-the-early-days-of-their-startups-talks-are-strictly-off-the-record-to-encourage-candor-because-the-inside-story-of-most-startups-is-more-colorful-than-the-one-presented-later-to-the-publicpublic-launchesonce-a-startup-has-something-built-thats-ready-to-launch-we-help-founders-figure-out-how-to-present-it-to-users-and-the-press-we-prepare-founders-for-launches-on-community-sites-like-product-hunt-and-hacker-news-and-for-their-first-press-pitches-and-interviewsfirst-customersb2b-and-consumer-companies-often-get-their-first-4050-paying-customers-from-the-yc-community-with-that-you-not-only-get-first-customers-you-get-the-smartest-early-product-feedback-possibleweekly-meetupsthroughout-the-batch-we-host-weekly-meetups-in-san-francisco-these-events-often-feature-special-guests-like-the-founders-of-yc-and-successful-yc-foundersdemo-dayon-demo-day-the-latest-batch-of-y-combinatorfunded-founders-present-their-companies-to-an-audience-of-specially-selected-investors-and-press-we-doubt-theres-another-occasion-when-such-a-large-percentage-of-the-top-startup-investors-have-their-attention-focused-on-the-same-thingin-the-weeks-following-demo-day-we-keep-in-close-touch-with-the-startups-as-they-negotiate-the-fundraising-maze-and-help-them-decipher-the-real-messages-in-investors-sometimes-deliberately-ambiguous-responses-often-we-talk-to-the-investors-ourselves-to-find-out-what-theyre-really-thinking-about-a-particular-startup-because-ycfunded-startups-are-a-known-quantity-to-investors-and-get-introduced-to-enough-of-them-to-create-serious-price-competition-companies-tend-to-get-higher-valuations-than-they-might-otherwisebeyond-the-batchyc-doesnt-stop-after-the-3-month-program-ends-here-are-some-of-the-resources-available-to-yc-alumni-as-their-companies-growadviceongoing-office-hoursoffice-hours-dont-stop-after-the-yc-program-we-have-office-hours-year-round-and-startups-from-all-previous-cycles-can-book-time-whenever-they-wantcommunityalumni-communitytoday-the-yc-alumni-community-is-probably-the-most-powerful-community-in-the-startup-world-its-powerful-not-just-because-of-its-size-but-also-because-its-members-have-such-a-strong-commitment-to-helping-one-another-a-culture-of-helpfulness-has-been-an-important-part-of-yc-since-the-beginning-and-founders-know-that-if-they-ever-come-across-a-challenge-they-need-help-with-they-not-only-have-the-partners-at-their-disposal-they-have-6000-domain-experts-they-can-call-onalumni-reunioneach-year-yc-hosts-a-formal-gathering-of-alumni-exciting-things-happen-when-you-bring-founders-together--ideas-are-exchanged-deals-get-made-problem-solving-happens-amongst-peersfounder-communitiesfounders-have-access-to-whatsapp-groups-and-bookface-channels-that-reach-specific-communities-there-are-lists-for-hardware-biotech-edtech-nonprofits-international-women-founders-black-founders-hispanic-and-latino-founders-and-morealumni-demo-dayactive-yc-founders-get-an-early-look-at-the-yc-companies-in-each-batch-at-alumni-demo-daydealseach-yc-company-receives-access-to-discounts-and-free-accounts-for-over-100-products-some-of-these-are-highly-significant-including-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-of-free-hosting-for-each-company-provided-by-major-cloud-hosting-companiesbrandcredibilitywhen-one-company-in-yc-does-well-the-whole-community-benefits-because-yc-has-such-a-strong-track-record-early-adopters-investors-and-press-are-often-more-willing-to-take-a-look-at-yc-founders-even-if-theyre-first-time-founderscompany-directoryyc-companies-are-showcased-in-the-yc-startup-directory-our-startups-can-be-filtered-and-discovered-by-potential-customers-investors-or-hireshiringwork-at-a-startupwork-at-a-startup-helps-yc-founders-build-their-team--from-first-employees-to-vps-of-product-and-operations-thousands-of-jobseekers-across-hundreds-of-yc-companies-have-landed-roles-through-the-platform-and-extended-yc-communityhacker-newshn-is-a-news-aggregator-where-users-can-find-and-discuss-the-latest-news-and-submit-content-on-anything-that-gratifies-ones-intellectual-curiosity-yc-alumni-also-post-engineering-product-and-design-jobs-on-hn\">\n<h3 id=\"introduction\"><strong id=\"introduction\"><strong id=\"introduction\">INTRODUCTION</strong></strong></h3>\n<p id=\"people-often-ask-us-what-happens-at-y-combinator-here-is-an-overview-of-what-happens-during-the-yc-program-and-the-benefits-you-get-as-a-yc-founder-you-can-read-more-about-why-you-should-apply-to-yc-here\">People often ask us what happens at Y Combinator. Here is an overview of what happens during the YC program and the benefits you get as a YC founder. You can read more about why you should apply to YC <a href=\"https://ycombinator.com\" id=\"here\">here</a>.</p>\n<h3 id=\"the-yc-program\"><strong id=\"the-yc-program\"><strong id=\"the-yc-program\">THE YC PROGRAM</strong></strong></h3>\n<p id=\"yc-is-a-three-month-program-we-now-run-yc-four-times-a-year-in-the-winter-spring-summer-and-fall-heres-what-happens-during-the-three-months-of-yc\">YC is a three month program. We now run YC four times a year, in the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Here’s what happens during the three months of YC:</p>\n<p id=\"the-goal\"><strong id=\"the-goal\">The Goal</strong></p>\n<p id=\"the-overall-goal-of-yc-is-to-help-startups-really-take-off-they-arrive-at-yc-at-all-different-stages-some-havent-even-started-working-yet-and-others-have-been-launched-for-a-year-or-more-but-whatever-stage-a-startup-is-at-when-they-arrive-our-goal-is-to-help-them-to-be-in-dramatically-better-shape-3-months-later\">The overall goal of YC is to help startups really take off. They arrive at YC at all different stages. Some haven’t even started working yet, and others have been launched for a year or more. But whatever stage a startup is at when they arrive, our goal is to help them to be in dramatically better shape 3 months later.</p>\n<p id=\"for-most-startups-better-shape-translates-into-two-things-to-have-a-better-product-with-more-users-and-to-have-more-options-for-raising-money\">For most startups, better shape translates into two things: to have a better product with more users, and to have more options for raising money.</p>\n<p id=\"startups-at-all-stages-benefit-from-the-intensity-of-yc-thats-probably-the-best-word-to-describe-the-atmosphere-for-3-months-its-all-startup-all-the-time-everyone-around-youus-the-other-founders-in-your-batch-the-alumni-the-speakers-the-investorswants-to-help-your-startup-succeed-in-that-atmosphere-its-hard-not-to-be-highly-motivated-and-that-kind-of-extraordinary-motivation-is-what-one-needs-to-do-something-as-difficult-as-starting-a-startup\">Startups at all stages benefit from the intensity of YC. That’s probably the best word to describe the atmosphere. For 3 months, it’s all startup, all the time. Everyone around you—us, the other founders in your batch, the alumni, the speakers, the investors—wants to help your startup succeed. In that atmosphere it’s hard not to be highly motivated. And that kind of extraordinary motivation is what one needs to do something as difficult as starting a startup.</p>\n<p id=\"many-founders-describe-the-11-weeks-leading-up-to-demo-day-as-the-most-productive-period-in-their-lives-though-yc-continues-after-the-3-month-cycle-and-the-alumni-community-is-an-increasingly-valuable-resource-those-11-weeks-are-still-the-most-important-thing-you-cant-make-people-something-theyre-not-but-the-right-conditions-can-bring-out-the-best-in-them-and-since-most-people-have-way-more-potential-than-they-realize-theyre-often-surprised-by-what-theyre-capable-of\">Many founders describe the 11 weeks leading up to Demo Day as the most productive period in their lives. Though YC continues after the 3 month cycle, and the alumni community is an increasingly valuable resource, those 11 weeks are still the most important thing. You can’t make people something they’re not, but the right conditions can bring out the best in them. And since most people have way more potential than they realize, they’re often surprised by what they’re capable of.</p>\n<p id=\"funding\"><strong id=\"funding\">Funding</strong></p>\n<p id=\"yc-invests-500000-in-every-company-on-standard-terms-our-500k-investment-is-made-on-2-separate-safes\">YC <a href=\"https://ycombinator.com/deal\" id=\"invests\">invests</a> $500,000 in every company on standard terms. Our $500K investment is made on 2 separate safes:</p>\n<ul id=\"we-invest-125000-on-a-postmoney-safe-in-return-for-7-of-your-company-the-125k-safewe-invest-375000-on-an-uncapped-safe-with-a-most-favored-nation-mfn-provision-the-mfn-safe\">\n<li id=\"we-invest-125000-on-a-postmoney-safe-in-return-for-7-of-your-company-the-125k-safe\">We invest $125,000 on a post-money safe in return for 7% of your company (the “$125k safe”)</li>\n<li id=\"we-invest-375000-on-an-uncapped-safe-with-a-most-favored-nation-mfn-provision-the-mfn-safe\">We invest $375,000 on an uncapped safe with a Most Favored Nation (“MFN”) provision (the “MFN safe”)</li>\n</ul>\n<p id=\"groups\"><strong id=\"groups\">Groups</strong></p>\n<p id=\"during-the-batch-startups-are-sorted-into-4-groups-each-group-is-led-by-group-partners-who-advise-the-founders-in-oneonone-and-group-office-hours-each-group-is-split-into-sections-610-companies-so-that-founders-get-the-benefit-of-an-intimate-setting-within-the-larger-batch\">During the batch, startups are sorted into 4 groups. Each group is led by group partners who advise the founders in one-on-one and group office hours. Each group is split into sections (6-10 companies), so that founders get the benefit of an intimate setting within the larger batch.</p>\n<p id=\"office-hours\"><strong id=\"office-hours\">Office Hours</strong></p>\n<p id=\"much-of-what-takes-place-at-yc-happens-during-office-hours-group-partners-host-group-office-hours-every-two-weeks-and-oneonone-office-hours-as-often-as-founders-want-what-startups-talk-about-at-office-hours-depends-on-the-stage-of-the-company-and-where-they-are-in-the-yc-cycle\">Much of what takes place at YC happens during office hours. Group partners host group office hours every two weeks and one-on-one office hours as often as founders want. What startups talk about at office hours depends on the stage of the company and where they are in the YC cycle.</p>\n<figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\" id=\"\"><img src=\"/blog/content/images/2023/05/img-office-hours-23c633bd985bc6fc42d6.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"Group partners at Office Hours\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"684\" height=\"456\" srcset=\"/blog/content/images/size/w600/2023/05/img-office-hours-23c633bd985bc6fc42d6.png 600w, /blog/content/images/2023/05/img-office-hours-23c633bd985bc6fc42d6.png 684w\" id=\"\"></figure><p id=\"bookface\"><strong id=\"bookface\">Bookface</strong></p>\n<p id=\"bookface-is-the-platform-founders-use-to-connect-to-one-anotherimagine-a-combination-of-facebook-quora-and-linkedin-each-founder-has-a-profile-and-can-tag-themselves-as-an-expert-in-any-topic-if-you-have-a-question-need-an-introduction-or-want-to-poll-for-knowledge-you-can-post-the-request-to-the-forum-on-bookface-the-knowledge-base-of-the-yc-community-is-both-broad-and-deepthe-community-includes-founders-who-are-the-worlds-foremost-experts-in-everything-from-security-to-community-building-to-nuclear-energy\">Bookface is the platform founders use to connect to one another—imagine a combination of Facebook, Quora, and LinkedIn. Each founder has a profile and can tag themselves as an expert in any topic. If you have a question, need an introduction, or want to poll for knowledge, you can post the request to the forum on Bookface. The knowledge base of the YC community is both broad and deep—the community includes founders who are the world’s foremost experts in everything from security to community building to nuclear energy.</p>\n<p id=\"batch-retreat\"><strong id=\"batch-retreat\">Batch Retreat</strong></p>\n<p id=\"in-the-first-few-weeks-of-the-batch-we-host-a-3day-inperson-retreat-the-retreat-gives-founders-the-opportunity-to-get-to-know-each-other-their-group-partners-and-the-yc-team\">In the first few weeks of the batch we host a 3-day, in-person retreat. The retreat gives founders the opportunity to get to know each other, their group partners, and the YC team.</p>\n<p id=\"alumni-talks\"><strong id=\"alumni-talks\">Alumni Talks</strong></p>\n<p id=\"every-week-we-invite-an-eminent-person-from-the-startup-world-to-speak-most-speakers-are-successful-startup-founders--the-founders-of-airbnb-stripe-doordash-and-ginkgo-bioworks-often-come-back-to-tell-the-inside-story-of-what-happened-in-the-early-days-of-their-startups-talks-are-strictly-off-the-record-to-encourage-candor-because-the-inside-story-of-most-startups-is-more-colorful-than-the-one-presented-later-to-the-public\">Every week, we invite an eminent person from the startup world to speak. Most speakers are successful startup founders — the founders of Airbnb, Stripe, Doordash and Ginkgo Bioworks often come back to tell the inside story of what happened in the early days of their startups. Talks are strictly off the record to encourage candor, because the inside story of most startups is more colorful than the one presented later to the public.</p>\n<p id=\"public-launches\"><strong id=\"public-launches\">Public Launches</strong></p>\n<p id=\"once-a-startup-has-something-built-thats-ready-to-launch-we-help-founders-figure-out-how-to-present-it-to-users-and-the-press-we-prepare-founders-for-launches-on-community-sites-like-product-hunt-and-hacker-news-and-for-their-first-press-pitches-and-interviews\">Once a startup has something built that’s ready to launch, we help founders figure out how to present it to users and the press. We prepare founders for launches on community sites like Product Hunt and Hacker News, and for their first press pitches and interviews.</p>\n<p id=\"first-customers\"><strong id=\"first-customers\">First Customers</strong></p>\n<p id=\"b2b-and-consumer-companies-often-get-their-first-4050-paying-customers-from-the-yc-community-with-that-you-not-only-get-first-customers-you-get-the-smartest-early-product-feedback-possible\">B2B and consumer companies often get their first 40-50 paying customers from the YC community. With that, you not only get first customers, you get the smartest early product feedback possible.</p>\n<p id=\"weekly-meetups\"><strong id=\"weekly-meetups\">Weekly Meetups</strong></p>\n<p id=\"throughout-the-batch-we-host-weekly-meetups-in-san-francisco-these-events-often-feature-special-guests-like-the-founders-of-yc-and-successful-yc-founders\">Throughout the batch, we host weekly meetups in San Francisco. These events often feature special guests like the founders of YC and successful YC founders.</p>\n<p id=\"demo-day\"><strong id=\"demo-day\">Demo Day</strong></p>\n<p id=\"on-demo-day-the-latest-batch-of-y-combinatorfunded-founders-present-their-companies-to-an-audience-of-specially-selected-investors-and-press-we-doubt-theres-another-occasion-when-such-a-large-percentage-of-the-top-startup-investors-have-their-attention-focused-on-the-same-thing\">On <a href=\"https://ycombinator.com/demoday\" id=\"demo-day\">Demo Day</a>, the latest batch of Y Combinator-funded founders present their companies to an audience of specially selected investors and press. We doubt there’s another occasion when such a large percentage of the top startup investors have their attention focused on the same thing.</p>\n<p id=\"in-the-weeks-following-demo-day-we-keep-in-close-touch-with-the-startups-as-they-negotiate-the-fundraising-maze-and-help-them-decipher-the-real-messages-in-investors-sometimes-deliberately-ambiguous-responses-often-we-talk-to-the-investors-ourselves-to-find-out-what-theyre-really-thinking-about-a-particular-startup-because-ycfunded-startups-are-a-known-quantity-to-investors-and-get-introduced-to-enough-of-them-to-create-serious-price-competition-companies-tend-to-get-higher-valuations-than-they-might-otherwise\">In the weeks following Demo Day we keep in close touch with the startups as they negotiate the fundraising maze, and help them decipher the real messages in investors’ sometimes deliberately ambiguous responses. Often we talk to the investors ourselves, to find out what they’re really thinking about a particular startup. Because YC-funded startups are a known quantity to investors and get introduced to enough of them to create serious price competition, companies tend to get higher valuations than they might otherwise.</p>\n<h3 id=\"beyond-the-batch\"><strong id=\"beyond-the-batch\"><strong id=\"beyond-the-batch\">BEYOND THE BATCH</strong></strong></h3>\n<p id=\"yc-doesnt-stop-after-the-3-month-program-ends-here-are-some-of-the-resources-available-to-yc-alumni-as-their-companies-grow\">YC doesn’t stop after the 3 month program ends. Here are some of the resources available to YC alumni as their companies grow.</p>\n<h3 id=\"advice\"><strong id=\"advice\"><strong id=\"advice\">ADVICE</strong></strong></h3>\n<p id=\"ongoing-office-hours\"><strong id=\"ongoing-office-hours\"><strong id=\"ongoing-office-hours\">Ongoing office hours</strong></strong></p>\n<p id=\"office-hours-dont-stop-after-the-yc-program-we-have-office-hours-year-round-and-startups-from-all-previous-cycles-can-book-time-whenever-they-want\">Office hours don’t stop after the YC program. We have office hours year round, and startups from all previous cycles can book time whenever they want.</p>\n<h3 id=\"community\"><strong id=\"community\"><strong id=\"community\">COMMUNITY</strong></strong></h3>\n<p id=\"alumni-community\"><strong id=\"alumni-community\"><strong id=\"alumni-community\">Alumni community</strong></strong></p>\n<p id=\"today-the-yc-alumni-community-is-probably-the-most-powerful-community-in-the-startup-world-its-powerful-not-just-because-of-its-size-but-also-because-its-members-have-such-a-strong-commitment-to-helping-one-another-a-culture-of-helpfulness-has-been-an-important-part-of-yc-since-the-beginning-and-founders-know-that-if-they-ever-come-across-a-challenge-they-need-help-with-they-not-only-have-the-partners-at-their-disposal-they-have-6000-domain-experts-they-can-call-on\">Today the YC alumni community is probably the most powerful community in the startup world. It’s powerful not just because of its size, but also because its members have such a strong commitment to helping one another. <a href=\"https://foundersatwork.posthaven.com/the-social-radar-what-i-did-at-y-combinator\" id=\"a-culture-of-helpfulness-has-been-an-important-part-of-yc-since-the-beginning\">A culture of helpfulness has been an important part of YC since the beginning</a>, and founders know that if they ever come across a challenge they need help with, they not only have the partners at their disposal, they have 6,000+ domain experts they can call on.</p>\n<p id=\"alumni-reunion\"><strong id=\"alumni-reunion\">Alumni Reunion</strong></p>\n<p id=\"each-year-yc-hosts-a-formal-gathering-of-alumni-exciting-things-happen-when-you-bring-founders-together--ideas-are-exchanged-deals-get-made-problem-solving-happens-amongst-peers\">Each year, YC hosts a formal gathering of alumni. Exciting things happen when you bring founders together — ideas are exchanged, deals get made, problem solving happens amongst peers.</p>\n<p id=\"founder-communities\"><strong id=\"founder-communities\">Founder Communities</strong></p>\n<p id=\"founders-have-access-to-whatsapp-groups-and-bookface-channels-that-reach-specific-communities-there-are-lists-for-hardware-biotech-edtech-nonprofits-international-women-founders-black-founders-hispanic-and-latino-founders-and-more\">Founders have access to WhatsApp groups and Bookface channels that reach specific communities. There are lists for hardware, biotech, edtech, non-profits, international, women founders, Black founders, Hispanic and Latino founders, and more.</p>\n<p id=\"alumni-demo-day\"><strong id=\"alumni-demo-day\">Alumni Demo Day</strong></p>\n<p id=\"active-yc-founders-get-an-early-look-at-the-yc-companies-in-each-batch-at-alumni-demo-day\">Active YC founders get an early look at the YC companies in each batch at Alumni Demo Day.</p>\n<p id=\"deals\"><strong id=\"deals\">Deals</strong></p>\n<p id=\"each-yc-company-receives-access-to-discounts-and-free-accounts-for-over-100-products-some-of-these-are-highly-significant-including-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-of-free-hosting-for-each-company-provided-by-major-cloud-hosting-companies\">Each YC company receives access to discounts and free accounts for over 100 products. Some of these are highly significant, including hundreds of thousands of dollars of free hosting for each company provided by major cloud hosting companies.</p>\n<h3 id=\"brand\"><strong id=\"brand\"><strong id=\"brand\">BRAND</strong></strong></h3>\n<p id=\"credibility\"><strong id=\"credibility\"><strong id=\"credibility\">Credibility</strong></strong></p>\n<p id=\"when-one-company-in-yc-does-well-the-whole-community-benefits-because-yc-has-such-a-strong-track-record-early-adopters-investors-and-press-are-often-more-willing-to-take-a-look-at-yc-founders-even-if-theyre-first-time-founders\">When one company in YC does well, the whole community benefits. Because YC has such a strong track record, early adopters, investors and press are often more willing to take a look at YC founders, even if they’re first time founders.</p>\n<p id=\"company-directory\"><strong id=\"company-directory\">Company Directory</strong></p>\n<p id=\"yc-companies-are-showcased-in-the-yc-startup-directory-our-startups-can-be-filtered-and-discovered-by-potential-customers-investors-or-hires\">YC companies are showcased in the <a href=\"https://ycombinator.com/companies\" id=\"yc-startup-directory\">YC Startup Directory</a>. Our startups can be filtered and discovered by potential customers, investors, or hires.</p>\n<h3 id=\"hiring\"><strong id=\"hiring\"><strong id=\"hiring\">HIRING</strong></strong></h3>\n<p id=\"work-at-a-startup\"><strong id=\"work-at-a-startup\"><strong id=\"work-at-a-startup\">Work at a Startup</strong></strong></p>\n<p id=\"work-at-a-startup-helps-yc-founders-build-their-team--from-first-employees-to-vps-of-product-and-operations-thousands-of-jobseekers-across-hundreds-of-yc-companies-have-landed-roles-through-the-platform-and-extended-yc-community\"><a href=\"https://ycombinator.com/jobs\" id=\"work-at-a-startup\">Work at a Startup</a> helps YC founders build their team — from first employees to VPs of product and operations. Thousands of jobseekers across hundreds of YC companies have landed roles through the platform and extended YC community.</p>\n<p id=\"hacker-news\"><strong id=\"hacker-news\">Hacker News</strong></p>\n<p id=\"hn-is-a-news-aggregator-where-users-can-find-and-discuss-the-latest-news-and-submit-content-on-anything-that-gratifies-ones-intellectual-curiosity-yc-alumni-also-post-engineering-product-and-design-jobs-on-hn\"><a href=\"https://news.ycombinator.com/\" id=\"hn\">HN</a> is a news aggregator where users can find and discuss the latest news and submit content on anything that gratifies one’s intellectual curiosity. YC alumni also post engineering, product, and design jobs on HN.</p>\n</body></html>\n","ghostEditLink":null,"toc":[{"title":"THE YC PROGRAM","id":"the-yc-program","entries":[{"title":"The Goal","elemId":"the-goal"},{"title":"Funding","elemId":"funding"},{"title":"Groups","elemId":"groups"},{"title":"Office Hours","elemId":"office-hours"},{"title":"Bookface","elemId":"bookface"},{"title":"Batch Retreat","elemId":"batch-retreat"},{"title":"Alumni Talks","elemId":"alumni-talks"},{"title":"Public Launches","elemId":"public-launches"},{"title":"First Customers","elemId":"first-customers"},{"title":"Weekly Meetups","elemId":"weekly-meetups"},{"title":"Demo Day","elemId":"demo-day"}]},{"title":"ADVICE","id":"advice","entries":[{"title":"Ongoing office hours","elemId":"ongoing-office-hours"}]},{"title":"COMMUNITY","id":"community","entries":[{"title":"Alumni community","elemId":"alumni-community"},{"title":"Alumni Reunion","elemId":"alumni-reunion"},{"title":"Founder Communities","elemId":"founder-communities"},{"title":"Alumni Demo Day","elemId":"alumni-demo-day"},{"title":"Deals","elemId":"deals"}]},{"title":"BRAND","id":"brand","entries":[{"title":"Credibility","elemId":"credibility"},{"title":"Company Directory","elemId":"company-directory"}]},{"title":"HIRING","id":"hiring","entries":[{"title":"Work at a Startup","elemId":"work-at-a-startup"},{"title":"Hacker News","elemId":"hacker-news"}]}]},"url":"/about","version":null,"rails_context":{"railsEnv":"production","inMailer":false,"i18nLocale":"en","i18nDefaultLocale":"en","href":"https://www.ycombinator.com/about","location":"/about","scheme":"https","host":"www.ycombinator.com","port":null,"pathname":"/about","search":null,"httpAcceptLanguage":null,"applyBatchLong":"Winter 2025","applyBatchShort":"W2025","applyDeadlineShort":"November 12","ycdcRetroMode":true,"currentUser":null,"serverSide":true},"id":"ycdc_new/pages/ProgramWhatHappensPage-react-component-4fdc017d-4370-4f1e-a367-9a2af7a609f3","server_side":true}" data-reactroot=""><div class="no-scroll-behind relative isolate z-10"><div data-headlessui-state=""><header class="relative mx-auto leading-tight max-w-ycdc-page"><nav class="flex flex-row items-start border-retro-sectionBorder py-[10px] sm:flex-row sm:items-center sm:border-b sm:py-[20px]"><div class="flex w-full flex-1 items-start"><div class="mr-[26px] leading-none"><a class="inline-block h-[56px] w-[56px]" href="/" title="Y Combinator"><img src="data:image/png;base64,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" class="h-full w-full" alt="Y Combinator" width="56" height="56"/></a></div><div class="ml-[30px] hidden flex-1 sm:ml-0 sm:block sm:h-[40px] sm:pt-[18px]"><div class="relative mb-1 mr-4 inline-block"><a href="/about" target="" class="text-[#222] hover:text-linkColor cursor-pointer">About</a><div class="absolute top-[97%] hidden"><div class="mt-2 rounded-lg bg-white shadow-lg focus:outline-none"><div class="flex w-max flex-col px-1 py-1 text-gray-800"><a class="px-4 py-2 hover:bg-gray-200" href="/about" target="">What Happens at YC?</a><a class="px-4 py-2 hover:bg-gray-200" href="/apply" target="">Apply</a><a class="px-4 py-2 hover:bg-gray-200" href="/interviews" target="">YC Interview Guide</a><a class="px-4 py-2 hover:bg-gray-200" href="/faq" target="">FAQ</a><a class="px-4 py-2 hover:bg-gray-200" href="/people" target="">People</a><a class="px-4 py-2 hover:bg-gray-200" href="/blog" target="">YC Blog</a></div></div></div></div><div class="relative mb-1 mr-4 inline-block"><a 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border-b pt-6 lg:pt-9 pb-6 lg:pb-9"><h1 class="ycdc-page-title">What Happens at YC</h1></section><div class="ycdc-toc-container"><section class="relative isolate z-0 border-retro-sectionBorder sm:pr-[13px] ycdcPlus:pr-0 border-b pt-6 lg:pt-9 pb-6 lg:pb-9"><div class="prose"><div><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"> <html id="introductionpeople-often-ask-us-what-happens-at-y-combinator-here-is-an-overview-of-what-happens-during-the-yc-program-and-the-benefits-you-get-as-a-yc-founder-you-can-read-more-about-why-you-should-apply-to-yc-herethe-yc-programyc-is-a-three-month-program-we-now-run-yc-four-times-a-year-in-the-winter-spring-summer-and-fall-heres-what-happens-during-the-three-months-of-ycthe-goalthe-overall-goal-of-yc-is-to-help-startups-really-take-off-they-arrive-at-yc-at-all-different-stages-some-havent-even-started-working-yet-and-others-have-been-launched-for-a-year-or-more-but-whatever-stage-a-startup-is-at-when-they-arrive-our-goal-is-to-help-them-to-be-in-dramatically-better-shape-3-months-laterfor-most-startups-better-shape-translates-into-two-things-to-have-a-better-product-with-more-users-and-to-have-more-options-for-raising-moneystartups-at-all-stages-benefit-from-the-intensity-of-yc-thats-probably-the-best-word-to-describe-the-atmosphere-for-3-months-its-all-startup-all-the-time-everyone-around-youus-the-other-founders-in-your-batch-the-alumni-the-speakers-the-investorswants-to-help-your-startup-succeed-in-that-atmosphere-its-hard-not-to-be-highly-motivated-and-that-kind-of-extraordinary-motivation-is-what-one-needs-to-do-something-as-difficult-as-starting-a-startupmany-founders-describe-the-11-weeks-leading-up-to-demo-day-as-the-most-productive-period-in-their-lives-though-yc-continues-after-the-3-month-cycle-and-the-alumni-community-is-an-increasingly-valuable-resource-those-11-weeks-are-still-the-most-important-thing-you-cant-make-people-something-theyre-not-but-the-right-conditions-can-bring-out-the-best-in-them-and-since-most-people-have-way-more-potential-than-they-realize-theyre-often-surprised-by-what-theyre-capable-offundingyc-invests-500000-in-every-company-on-standard-terms-our-500k-investment-is-made-on-2-separate-safeswe-invest-125000-on-a-postmoney-safe-in-return-for-7-of-your-company-the-125k-safewe-invest-375000-on-an-uncapped-safe-with-a-most-favored-nation-mfn-provision-the-mfn-safegroupsduring-the-batch-startups-are-sorted-into-4-groups-each-group-is-led-by-group-partners-who-advise-the-founders-in-oneonone-and-group-office-hours-each-group-is-split-into-sections-610-companies-so-that-founders-get-the-benefit-of-an-intimate-setting-within-the-larger-batchoffice-hoursmuch-of-what-takes-place-at-yc-happens-during-office-hours-group-partners-host-group-office-hours-every-two-weeks-and-oneonone-office-hours-as-often-as-founders-want-what-startups-talk-about-at-office-hours-depends-on-the-stage-of-the-company-and-where-they-are-in-the-yc-cyclebookfacebookface-is-the-platform-founders-use-to-connect-to-one-anotherimagine-a-combination-of-facebook-quora-and-linkedin-each-founder-has-a-profile-and-can-tag-themselves-as-an-expert-in-any-topic-if-you-have-a-question-need-an-introduction-or-want-to-poll-for-knowledge-you-can-post-the-request-to-the-forum-on-bookface-the-knowledge-base-of-the-yc-community-is-both-broad-and-deepthe-community-includes-founders-who-are-the-worlds-foremost-experts-in-everything-from-security-to-community-building-to-nuclear-energybatch-retreatin-the-first-few-weeks-of-the-batch-we-host-a-3day-inperson-retreat-the-retreat-gives-founders-the-opportunity-to-get-to-know-each-other-their-group-partners-and-the-yc-teamalumni-talksevery-week-we-invite-an-eminent-person-from-the-startup-world-to-speak-most-speakers-are-successful-startup-founders--the-founders-of-airbnb-stripe-doordash-and-ginkgo-bioworks-often-come-back-to-tell-the-inside-story-of-what-happened-in-the-early-days-of-their-startups-talks-are-strictly-off-the-record-to-encourage-candor-because-the-inside-story-of-most-startups-is-more-colorful-than-the-one-presented-later-to-the-publicpublic-launchesonce-a-startup-has-something-built-thats-ready-to-launch-we-help-founders-figure-out-how-to-present-it-to-users-and-the-press-we-prepare-founders-for-launches-on-community-sites-like-product-hunt-and-hacker-news-and-for-their-first-press-pitches-and-interviewsfirst-customersb2b-and-consumer-companies-often-get-their-first-4050-paying-customers-from-the-yc-community-with-that-you-not-only-get-first-customers-you-get-the-smartest-early-product-feedback-possibleweekly-meetupsthroughout-the-batch-we-host-weekly-meetups-in-san-francisco-these-events-often-feature-special-guests-like-the-founders-of-yc-and-successful-yc-foundersdemo-dayon-demo-day-the-latest-batch-of-y-combinatorfunded-founders-present-their-companies-to-an-audience-of-specially-selected-investors-and-press-we-doubt-theres-another-occasion-when-such-a-large-percentage-of-the-top-startup-investors-have-their-attention-focused-on-the-same-thingin-the-weeks-following-demo-day-we-keep-in-close-touch-with-the-startups-as-they-negotiate-the-fundraising-maze-and-help-them-decipher-the-real-messages-in-investors-sometimes-deliberately-ambiguous-responses-often-we-talk-to-the-investors-ourselves-to-find-out-what-theyre-really-thinking-about-a-particular-startup-because-ycfunded-startups-are-a-known-quantity-to-investors-and-get-introduced-to-enough-of-them-to-create-serious-price-competition-companies-tend-to-get-higher-valuations-than-they-might-otherwisebeyond-the-batchyc-doesnt-stop-after-the-3-month-program-ends-here-are-some-of-the-resources-available-to-yc-alumni-as-their-companies-growadviceongoing-office-hoursoffice-hours-dont-stop-after-the-yc-program-we-have-office-hours-year-round-and-startups-from-all-previous-cycles-can-book-time-whenever-they-wantcommunityalumni-communitytoday-the-yc-alumni-community-is-probably-the-most-powerful-community-in-the-startup-world-its-powerful-not-just-because-of-its-size-but-also-because-its-members-have-such-a-strong-commitment-to-helping-one-another-a-culture-of-helpfulness-has-been-an-important-part-of-yc-since-the-beginning-and-founders-know-that-if-they-ever-come-across-a-challenge-they-need-help-with-they-not-only-have-the-partners-at-their-disposal-they-have-6000-domain-experts-they-can-call-onalumni-reunioneach-year-yc-hosts-a-formal-gathering-of-alumni-exciting-things-happen-when-you-bring-founders-together--ideas-are-exchanged-deals-get-made-problem-solving-happens-amongst-peersfounder-communitiesfounders-have-access-to-whatsapp-groups-and-bookface-channels-that-reach-specific-communities-there-are-lists-for-hardware-biotech-edtech-nonprofits-international-women-founders-black-founders-hispanic-and-latino-founders-and-morealumni-demo-dayactive-yc-founders-get-an-early-look-at-the-yc-companies-in-each-batch-at-alumni-demo-daydealseach-yc-company-receives-access-to-discounts-and-free-accounts-for-over-100-products-some-of-these-are-highly-significant-including-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-of-free-hosting-for-each-company-provided-by-major-cloud-hosting-companiesbrandcredibilitywhen-one-company-in-yc-does-well-the-whole-community-benefits-because-yc-has-such-a-strong-track-record-early-adopters-investors-and-press-are-often-more-willing-to-take-a-look-at-yc-founders-even-if-theyre-first-time-founderscompany-directoryyc-companies-are-showcased-in-the-yc-startup-directory-our-startups-can-be-filtered-and-discovered-by-potential-customers-investors-or-hireshiringwork-at-a-startupwork-at-a-startup-helps-yc-founders-build-their-team--from-first-employees-to-vps-of-product-and-operations-thousands-of-jobseekers-across-hundreds-of-yc-companies-have-landed-roles-through-the-platform-and-extended-yc-communityhacker-newshn-is-a-news-aggregator-where-users-can-find-and-discuss-the-latest-news-and-submit-content-on-anything-that-gratifies-ones-intellectual-curiosity-yc-alumni-also-post-engineering-product-and-design-jobs-on-hn"><body id="introductionpeople-often-ask-us-what-happens-at-y-combinator-here-is-an-overview-of-what-happens-during-the-yc-program-and-the-benefits-you-get-as-a-yc-founder-you-can-read-more-about-why-you-should-apply-to-yc-herethe-yc-programyc-is-a-three-month-program-we-now-run-yc-four-times-a-year-in-the-winter-spring-summer-and-fall-heres-what-happens-during-the-three-months-of-ycthe-goalthe-overall-goal-of-yc-is-to-help-startups-really-take-off-they-arrive-at-yc-at-all-different-stages-some-havent-even-started-working-yet-and-others-have-been-launched-for-a-year-or-more-but-whatever-stage-a-startup-is-at-when-they-arrive-our-goal-is-to-help-them-to-be-in-dramatically-better-shape-3-months-laterfor-most-startups-better-shape-translates-into-two-things-to-have-a-better-product-with-more-users-and-to-have-more-options-for-raising-moneystartups-at-all-stages-benefit-from-the-intensity-of-yc-thats-probably-the-best-word-to-describe-the-atmosphere-for-3-months-its-all-startup-all-the-time-everyone-around-youus-the-other-founders-in-your-batch-the-alumni-the-speakers-the-investorswants-to-help-your-startup-succeed-in-that-atmosphere-its-hard-not-to-be-highly-motivated-and-that-kind-of-extraordinary-motivation-is-what-one-needs-to-do-something-as-difficult-as-starting-a-startupmany-founders-describe-the-11-weeks-leading-up-to-demo-day-as-the-most-productive-period-in-their-lives-though-yc-continues-after-the-3-month-cycle-and-the-alumni-community-is-an-increasingly-valuable-resource-those-11-weeks-are-still-the-most-important-thing-you-cant-make-people-something-theyre-not-but-the-right-conditions-can-bring-out-the-best-in-them-and-since-most-people-have-way-more-potential-than-they-realize-theyre-often-surprised-by-what-theyre-capable-offundingyc-invests-500000-in-every-company-on-standard-terms-our-500k-investment-is-made-on-2-separate-safeswe-invest-125000-on-a-postmoney-safe-in-return-for-7-of-your-company-the-125k-safewe-invest-375000-on-an-uncapped-safe-with-a-most-favored-nation-mfn-provision-the-mfn-safegroupsduring-the-batch-startups-are-sorted-into-4-groups-each-group-is-led-by-group-partners-who-advise-the-founders-in-oneonone-and-group-office-hours-each-group-is-split-into-sections-610-companies-so-that-founders-get-the-benefit-of-an-intimate-setting-within-the-larger-batchoffice-hoursmuch-of-what-takes-place-at-yc-happens-during-office-hours-group-partners-host-group-office-hours-every-two-weeks-and-oneonone-office-hours-as-often-as-founders-want-what-startups-talk-about-at-office-hours-depends-on-the-stage-of-the-company-and-where-they-are-in-the-yc-cyclebookfacebookface-is-the-platform-founders-use-to-connect-to-one-anotherimagine-a-combination-of-facebook-quora-and-linkedin-each-founder-has-a-profile-and-can-tag-themselves-as-an-expert-in-any-topic-if-you-have-a-question-need-an-introduction-or-want-to-poll-for-knowledge-you-can-post-the-request-to-the-forum-on-bookface-the-knowledge-base-of-the-yc-community-is-both-broad-and-deepthe-community-includes-founders-who-are-the-worlds-foremost-experts-in-everything-from-security-to-community-building-to-nuclear-energybatch-retreatin-the-first-few-weeks-of-the-batch-we-host-a-3day-inperson-retreat-the-retreat-gives-founders-the-opportunity-to-get-to-know-each-other-their-group-partners-and-the-yc-teamalumni-talksevery-week-we-invite-an-eminent-person-from-the-startup-world-to-speak-most-speakers-are-successful-startup-founders--the-founders-of-airbnb-stripe-doordash-and-ginkgo-bioworks-often-come-back-to-tell-the-inside-story-of-what-happened-in-the-early-days-of-their-startups-talks-are-strictly-off-the-record-to-encourage-candor-because-the-inside-story-of-most-startups-is-more-colorful-than-the-one-presented-later-to-the-publicpublic-launchesonce-a-startup-has-something-built-thats-ready-to-launch-we-help-founders-figure-out-how-to-present-it-to-users-and-the-press-we-prepare-founders-for-launches-on-community-sites-like-product-hunt-and-hacker-news-and-for-their-first-press-pitches-and-interviewsfirst-customersb2b-and-consumer-companies-often-get-their-first-4050-paying-customers-from-the-yc-community-with-that-you-not-only-get-first-customers-you-get-the-smartest-early-product-feedback-possibleweekly-meetupsthroughout-the-batch-we-host-weekly-meetups-in-san-francisco-these-events-often-feature-special-guests-like-the-founders-of-yc-and-successful-yc-foundersdemo-dayon-demo-day-the-latest-batch-of-y-combinatorfunded-founders-present-their-companies-to-an-audience-of-specially-selected-investors-and-press-we-doubt-theres-another-occasion-when-such-a-large-percentage-of-the-top-startup-investors-have-their-attention-focused-on-the-same-thingin-the-weeks-following-demo-day-we-keep-in-close-touch-with-the-startups-as-they-negotiate-the-fundraising-maze-and-help-them-decipher-the-real-messages-in-investors-sometimes-deliberately-ambiguous-responses-often-we-talk-to-the-investors-ourselves-to-find-out-what-theyre-really-thinking-about-a-particular-startup-because-ycfunded-startups-are-a-known-quantity-to-investors-and-get-introduced-to-enough-of-them-to-create-serious-price-competition-companies-tend-to-get-higher-valuations-than-they-might-otherwisebeyond-the-batchyc-doesnt-stop-after-the-3-month-program-ends-here-are-some-of-the-resources-available-to-yc-alumni-as-their-companies-growadviceongoing-office-hoursoffice-hours-dont-stop-after-the-yc-program-we-have-office-hours-year-round-and-startups-from-all-previous-cycles-can-book-time-whenever-they-wantcommunityalumni-communitytoday-the-yc-alumni-community-is-probably-the-most-powerful-community-in-the-startup-world-its-powerful-not-just-because-of-its-size-but-also-because-its-members-have-such-a-strong-commitment-to-helping-one-another-a-culture-of-helpfulness-has-been-an-important-part-of-yc-since-the-beginning-and-founders-know-that-if-they-ever-come-across-a-challenge-they-need-help-with-they-not-only-have-the-partners-at-their-disposal-they-have-6000-domain-experts-they-can-call-onalumni-reunioneach-year-yc-hosts-a-formal-gathering-of-alumni-exciting-things-happen-when-you-bring-founders-together--ideas-are-exchanged-deals-get-made-problem-solving-happens-amongst-peersfounder-communitiesfounders-have-access-to-whatsapp-groups-and-bookface-channels-that-reach-specific-communities-there-are-lists-for-hardware-biotech-edtech-nonprofits-international-women-founders-black-founders-hispanic-and-latino-founders-and-morealumni-demo-dayactive-yc-founders-get-an-early-look-at-the-yc-companies-in-each-batch-at-alumni-demo-daydealseach-yc-company-receives-access-to-discounts-and-free-accounts-for-over-100-products-some-of-these-are-highly-significant-including-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-of-free-hosting-for-each-company-provided-by-major-cloud-hosting-companiesbrandcredibilitywhen-one-company-in-yc-does-well-the-whole-community-benefits-because-yc-has-such-a-strong-track-record-early-adopters-investors-and-press-are-often-more-willing-to-take-a-look-at-yc-founders-even-if-theyre-first-time-founderscompany-directoryyc-companies-are-showcased-in-the-yc-startup-directory-our-startups-can-be-filtered-and-discovered-by-potential-customers-investors-or-hireshiringwork-at-a-startupwork-at-a-startup-helps-yc-founders-build-their-team--from-first-employees-to-vps-of-product-and-operations-thousands-of-jobseekers-across-hundreds-of-yc-companies-have-landed-roles-through-the-platform-and-extended-yc-communityhacker-newshn-is-a-news-aggregator-where-users-can-find-and-discuss-the-latest-news-and-submit-content-on-anything-that-gratifies-ones-intellectual-curiosity-yc-alumni-also-post-engineering-product-and-design-jobs-on-hn"> <h3 id="introduction"><strong id="introduction"><strong id="introduction">INTRODUCTION</strong></strong></h3> <p id="people-often-ask-us-what-happens-at-y-combinator-here-is-an-overview-of-what-happens-during-the-yc-program-and-the-benefits-you-get-as-a-yc-founder-you-can-read-more-about-why-you-should-apply-to-yc-here">People often ask us what happens at Y Combinator. Here is an overview of what happens during the YC program and the benefits you get as a YC founder. You can read more about why you should apply to YC <a href="https://ycombinator.com" id="here">here</a>.</p> <h3 id="the-yc-program"><strong id="the-yc-program"><strong id="the-yc-program">THE YC PROGRAM</strong></strong></h3> <p id="yc-is-a-three-month-program-we-now-run-yc-four-times-a-year-in-the-winter-spring-summer-and-fall-heres-what-happens-during-the-three-months-of-yc">YC is a three month program. We now run YC four times a year, in the winter, spring, summer, and fall. Here’s what happens during the three months of YC:</p> <p id="the-goal"><strong id="the-goal">The Goal</strong></p> <p id="the-overall-goal-of-yc-is-to-help-startups-really-take-off-they-arrive-at-yc-at-all-different-stages-some-havent-even-started-working-yet-and-others-have-been-launched-for-a-year-or-more-but-whatever-stage-a-startup-is-at-when-they-arrive-our-goal-is-to-help-them-to-be-in-dramatically-better-shape-3-months-later">The overall goal of YC is to help startups really take off. They arrive at YC at all different stages. Some haven’t even started working yet, and others have been launched for a year or more. But whatever stage a startup is at when they arrive, our goal is to help them to be in dramatically better shape 3 months later.</p> <p id="for-most-startups-better-shape-translates-into-two-things-to-have-a-better-product-with-more-users-and-to-have-more-options-for-raising-money">For most startups, better shape translates into two things: to have a better product with more users, and to have more options for raising money.</p> <p id="startups-at-all-stages-benefit-from-the-intensity-of-yc-thats-probably-the-best-word-to-describe-the-atmosphere-for-3-months-its-all-startup-all-the-time-everyone-around-youus-the-other-founders-in-your-batch-the-alumni-the-speakers-the-investorswants-to-help-your-startup-succeed-in-that-atmosphere-its-hard-not-to-be-highly-motivated-and-that-kind-of-extraordinary-motivation-is-what-one-needs-to-do-something-as-difficult-as-starting-a-startup">Startups at all stages benefit from the intensity of YC. That’s probably the best word to describe the atmosphere. For 3 months, it’s all startup, all the time. Everyone around you—us, the other founders in your batch, the alumni, the speakers, the investors—wants to help your startup succeed. In that atmosphere it’s hard not to be highly motivated. And that kind of extraordinary motivation is what one needs to do something as difficult as starting a startup.</p> <p id="many-founders-describe-the-11-weeks-leading-up-to-demo-day-as-the-most-productive-period-in-their-lives-though-yc-continues-after-the-3-month-cycle-and-the-alumni-community-is-an-increasingly-valuable-resource-those-11-weeks-are-still-the-most-important-thing-you-cant-make-people-something-theyre-not-but-the-right-conditions-can-bring-out-the-best-in-them-and-since-most-people-have-way-more-potential-than-they-realize-theyre-often-surprised-by-what-theyre-capable-of">Many founders describe the 11 weeks leading up to Demo Day as the most productive period in their lives. Though YC continues after the 3 month cycle, and the alumni community is an increasingly valuable resource, those 11 weeks are still the most important thing. You can’t make people something they’re not, but the right conditions can bring out the best in them. And since most people have way more potential than they realize, they’re often surprised by what they’re capable of.</p> <p id="funding"><strong id="funding">Funding</strong></p> <p id="yc-invests-500000-in-every-company-on-standard-terms-our-500k-investment-is-made-on-2-separate-safes">YC <a href="https://ycombinator.com/deal" id="invests">invests</a> $500,000 in every company on standard terms. Our $500K investment is made on 2 separate safes:</p> <ul id="we-invest-125000-on-a-postmoney-safe-in-return-for-7-of-your-company-the-125k-safewe-invest-375000-on-an-uncapped-safe-with-a-most-favored-nation-mfn-provision-the-mfn-safe"> <li id="we-invest-125000-on-a-postmoney-safe-in-return-for-7-of-your-company-the-125k-safe">We invest $125,000 on a post-money safe in return for 7% of your company (the “$125k safe”)</li> <li id="we-invest-375000-on-an-uncapped-safe-with-a-most-favored-nation-mfn-provision-the-mfn-safe">We invest $375,000 on an uncapped safe with a Most Favored Nation (“MFN”) provision (the “MFN safe”)</li> </ul> <p id="groups"><strong id="groups">Groups</strong></p> <p id="during-the-batch-startups-are-sorted-into-4-groups-each-group-is-led-by-group-partners-who-advise-the-founders-in-oneonone-and-group-office-hours-each-group-is-split-into-sections-610-companies-so-that-founders-get-the-benefit-of-an-intimate-setting-within-the-larger-batch">During the batch, startups are sorted into 4 groups. Each group is led by group partners who advise the founders in one-on-one and group office hours. Each group is split into sections (6-10 companies), so that founders get the benefit of an intimate setting within the larger batch.</p> <p id="office-hours"><strong id="office-hours">Office Hours</strong></p> <p id="much-of-what-takes-place-at-yc-happens-during-office-hours-group-partners-host-group-office-hours-every-two-weeks-and-oneonone-office-hours-as-often-as-founders-want-what-startups-talk-about-at-office-hours-depends-on-the-stage-of-the-company-and-where-they-are-in-the-yc-cycle">Much of what takes place at YC happens during office hours. Group partners host group office hours every two weeks and one-on-one office hours as often as founders want. What startups talk about at office hours depends on the stage of the company and where they are in the YC cycle.</p> <figure class="kg-card kg-image-card" id=""><img src="/blog/content/images/2023/05/img-office-hours-23c633bd985bc6fc42d6.png" class="kg-image" alt="Group partners at Office Hours" loading="lazy" width="684" height="456" srcset="/blog/content/images/size/w600/2023/05/img-office-hours-23c633bd985bc6fc42d6.png 600w, /blog/content/images/2023/05/img-office-hours-23c633bd985bc6fc42d6.png 684w" id=""></figure><p id="bookface"><strong id="bookface">Bookface</strong></p> <p id="bookface-is-the-platform-founders-use-to-connect-to-one-anotherimagine-a-combination-of-facebook-quora-and-linkedin-each-founder-has-a-profile-and-can-tag-themselves-as-an-expert-in-any-topic-if-you-have-a-question-need-an-introduction-or-want-to-poll-for-knowledge-you-can-post-the-request-to-the-forum-on-bookface-the-knowledge-base-of-the-yc-community-is-both-broad-and-deepthe-community-includes-founders-who-are-the-worlds-foremost-experts-in-everything-from-security-to-community-building-to-nuclear-energy">Bookface is the platform founders use to connect to one another—imagine a combination of Facebook, Quora, and LinkedIn. Each founder has a profile and can tag themselves as an expert in any topic. If you have a question, need an introduction, or want to poll for knowledge, you can post the request to the forum on Bookface. The knowledge base of the YC community is both broad and deep—the community includes founders who are the world’s foremost experts in everything from security to community building to nuclear energy.</p> <p id="batch-retreat"><strong id="batch-retreat">Batch Retreat</strong></p> <p id="in-the-first-few-weeks-of-the-batch-we-host-a-3day-inperson-retreat-the-retreat-gives-founders-the-opportunity-to-get-to-know-each-other-their-group-partners-and-the-yc-team">In the first few weeks of the batch we host a 3-day, in-person retreat. The retreat gives founders the opportunity to get to know each other, their group partners, and the YC team.</p> <p id="alumni-talks"><strong id="alumni-talks">Alumni Talks</strong></p> <p id="every-week-we-invite-an-eminent-person-from-the-startup-world-to-speak-most-speakers-are-successful-startup-founders--the-founders-of-airbnb-stripe-doordash-and-ginkgo-bioworks-often-come-back-to-tell-the-inside-story-of-what-happened-in-the-early-days-of-their-startups-talks-are-strictly-off-the-record-to-encourage-candor-because-the-inside-story-of-most-startups-is-more-colorful-than-the-one-presented-later-to-the-public">Every week, we invite an eminent person from the startup world to speak. Most speakers are successful startup founders — the founders of Airbnb, Stripe, Doordash and Ginkgo Bioworks often come back to tell the inside story of what happened in the early days of their startups. Talks are strictly off the record to encourage candor, because the inside story of most startups is more colorful than the one presented later to the public.</p> <p id="public-launches"><strong id="public-launches">Public Launches</strong></p> <p id="once-a-startup-has-something-built-thats-ready-to-launch-we-help-founders-figure-out-how-to-present-it-to-users-and-the-press-we-prepare-founders-for-launches-on-community-sites-like-product-hunt-and-hacker-news-and-for-their-first-press-pitches-and-interviews">Once a startup has something built that’s ready to launch, we help founders figure out how to present it to users and the press. We prepare founders for launches on community sites like Product Hunt and Hacker News, and for their first press pitches and interviews.</p> <p id="first-customers"><strong id="first-customers">First Customers</strong></p> <p id="b2b-and-consumer-companies-often-get-their-first-4050-paying-customers-from-the-yc-community-with-that-you-not-only-get-first-customers-you-get-the-smartest-early-product-feedback-possible">B2B and consumer companies often get their first 40-50 paying customers from the YC community. With that, you not only get first customers, you get the smartest early product feedback possible.</p> <p id="weekly-meetups"><strong id="weekly-meetups">Weekly Meetups</strong></p> <p id="throughout-the-batch-we-host-weekly-meetups-in-san-francisco-these-events-often-feature-special-guests-like-the-founders-of-yc-and-successful-yc-founders">Throughout the batch, we host weekly meetups in San Francisco. These events often feature special guests like the founders of YC and successful YC founders.</p> <p id="demo-day"><strong id="demo-day">Demo Day</strong></p> <p id="on-demo-day-the-latest-batch-of-y-combinatorfunded-founders-present-their-companies-to-an-audience-of-specially-selected-investors-and-press-we-doubt-theres-another-occasion-when-such-a-large-percentage-of-the-top-startup-investors-have-their-attention-focused-on-the-same-thing">On <a href="https://ycombinator.com/demoday" id="demo-day">Demo Day</a>, the latest batch of Y Combinator-funded founders present their companies to an audience of specially selected investors and press. We doubt there’s another occasion when such a large percentage of the top startup investors have their attention focused on the same thing.</p> <p id="in-the-weeks-following-demo-day-we-keep-in-close-touch-with-the-startups-as-they-negotiate-the-fundraising-maze-and-help-them-decipher-the-real-messages-in-investors-sometimes-deliberately-ambiguous-responses-often-we-talk-to-the-investors-ourselves-to-find-out-what-theyre-really-thinking-about-a-particular-startup-because-ycfunded-startups-are-a-known-quantity-to-investors-and-get-introduced-to-enough-of-them-to-create-serious-price-competition-companies-tend-to-get-higher-valuations-than-they-might-otherwise">In the weeks following Demo Day we keep in close touch with the startups as they negotiate the fundraising maze, and help them decipher the real messages in investors’ sometimes deliberately ambiguous responses. Often we talk to the investors ourselves, to find out what they’re really thinking about a particular startup. Because YC-funded startups are a known quantity to investors and get introduced to enough of them to create serious price competition, companies tend to get higher valuations than they might otherwise.</p> <h3 id="beyond-the-batch"><strong id="beyond-the-batch"><strong id="beyond-the-batch">BEYOND THE BATCH</strong></strong></h3> <p id="yc-doesnt-stop-after-the-3-month-program-ends-here-are-some-of-the-resources-available-to-yc-alumni-as-their-companies-grow">YC doesn’t stop after the 3 month program ends. Here are some of the resources available to YC alumni as their companies grow.</p> <h3 id="advice"><strong id="advice"><strong id="advice">ADVICE</strong></strong></h3> <p id="ongoing-office-hours"><strong id="ongoing-office-hours"><strong id="ongoing-office-hours">Ongoing office hours</strong></strong></p> <p id="office-hours-dont-stop-after-the-yc-program-we-have-office-hours-year-round-and-startups-from-all-previous-cycles-can-book-time-whenever-they-want">Office hours don’t stop after the YC program. We have office hours year round, and startups from all previous cycles can book time whenever they want.</p> <h3 id="community"><strong id="community"><strong id="community">COMMUNITY</strong></strong></h3> <p id="alumni-community"><strong id="alumni-community"><strong id="alumni-community">Alumni community</strong></strong></p> <p id="today-the-yc-alumni-community-is-probably-the-most-powerful-community-in-the-startup-world-its-powerful-not-just-because-of-its-size-but-also-because-its-members-have-such-a-strong-commitment-to-helping-one-another-a-culture-of-helpfulness-has-been-an-important-part-of-yc-since-the-beginning-and-founders-know-that-if-they-ever-come-across-a-challenge-they-need-help-with-they-not-only-have-the-partners-at-their-disposal-they-have-6000-domain-experts-they-can-call-on">Today the YC alumni community is probably the most powerful community in the startup world. It’s powerful not just because of its size, but also because its members have such a strong commitment to helping one another. <a href="https://foundersatwork.posthaven.com/the-social-radar-what-i-did-at-y-combinator" id="a-culture-of-helpfulness-has-been-an-important-part-of-yc-since-the-beginning">A culture of helpfulness has been an important part of YC since the beginning</a>, and founders know that if they ever come across a challenge they need help with, they not only have the partners at their disposal, they have 6,000+ domain experts they can call on.</p> <p id="alumni-reunion"><strong id="alumni-reunion">Alumni Reunion</strong></p> <p id="each-year-yc-hosts-a-formal-gathering-of-alumni-exciting-things-happen-when-you-bring-founders-together--ideas-are-exchanged-deals-get-made-problem-solving-happens-amongst-peers">Each year, YC hosts a formal gathering of alumni. Exciting things happen when you bring founders together — ideas are exchanged, deals get made, problem solving happens amongst peers.</p> <p id="founder-communities"><strong id="founder-communities">Founder Communities</strong></p> <p id="founders-have-access-to-whatsapp-groups-and-bookface-channels-that-reach-specific-communities-there-are-lists-for-hardware-biotech-edtech-nonprofits-international-women-founders-black-founders-hispanic-and-latino-founders-and-more">Founders have access to WhatsApp groups and Bookface channels that reach specific communities. There are lists for hardware, biotech, edtech, non-profits, international, women founders, Black founders, Hispanic and Latino founders, and more.</p> <p id="alumni-demo-day"><strong id="alumni-demo-day">Alumni Demo Day</strong></p> <p id="active-yc-founders-get-an-early-look-at-the-yc-companies-in-each-batch-at-alumni-demo-day">Active YC founders get an early look at the YC companies in each batch at Alumni Demo Day.</p> <p id="deals"><strong id="deals">Deals</strong></p> <p id="each-yc-company-receives-access-to-discounts-and-free-accounts-for-over-100-products-some-of-these-are-highly-significant-including-hundreds-of-thousands-of-dollars-of-free-hosting-for-each-company-provided-by-major-cloud-hosting-companies">Each YC company receives access to discounts and free accounts for over 100 products. Some of these are highly significant, including hundreds of thousands of dollars of free hosting for each company provided by major cloud hosting companies.</p> <h3 id="brand"><strong id="brand"><strong id="brand">BRAND</strong></strong></h3> <p id="credibility"><strong id="credibility"><strong id="credibility">Credibility</strong></strong></p> <p id="when-one-company-in-yc-does-well-the-whole-community-benefits-because-yc-has-such-a-strong-track-record-early-adopters-investors-and-press-are-often-more-willing-to-take-a-look-at-yc-founders-even-if-theyre-first-time-founders">When one company in YC does well, the whole community benefits. Because YC has such a strong track record, early adopters, investors and press are often more willing to take a look at YC founders, even if they’re first time founders.</p> <p id="company-directory"><strong id="company-directory">Company Directory</strong></p> <p id="yc-companies-are-showcased-in-the-yc-startup-directory-our-startups-can-be-filtered-and-discovered-by-potential-customers-investors-or-hires">YC companies are showcased in the <a href="https://ycombinator.com/companies" id="yc-startup-directory">YC Startup Directory</a>. Our startups can be filtered and discovered by potential customers, investors, or hires.</p> <h3 id="hiring"><strong id="hiring"><strong id="hiring">HIRING</strong></strong></h3> <p id="work-at-a-startup"><strong id="work-at-a-startup"><strong id="work-at-a-startup">Work at a Startup</strong></strong></p> <p id="work-at-a-startup-helps-yc-founders-build-their-team--from-first-employees-to-vps-of-product-and-operations-thousands-of-jobseekers-across-hundreds-of-yc-companies-have-landed-roles-through-the-platform-and-extended-yc-community"><a href="https://ycombinator.com/jobs" id="work-at-a-startup">Work at a Startup</a> helps YC founders build their team — from first employees to VPs of product and operations. Thousands of jobseekers across hundreds of YC companies have landed roles through the platform and extended YC community.</p> <p id="hacker-news"><strong id="hacker-news">Hacker News</strong></p> <p id="hn-is-a-news-aggregator-where-users-can-find-and-discuss-the-latest-news-and-submit-content-on-anything-that-gratifies-ones-intellectual-curiosity-yc-alumni-also-post-engineering-product-and-design-jobs-on-hn"><a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/" id="hn">HN</a> is a news aggregator where users can find and discuss the latest news and submit content on anything that gratifies one’s intellectual curiosity. YC alumni also post engineering, product, and design jobs on HN.</p> </body></html> </div></div></section><section class="relative isolate z-0 border-retro-sectionBorder sm:pr-[13px] ycdcPlus:pr-0 border-b pt-6 lg:pt-9 pb-6 lg:pb-9"><nav class="hidden sticky top-4 self-start bg-white p-6 md:block"><div class="space-y-4"><ol><li class="my-0 text-sm text-black [&_a]:text-black [&_a]:no-underline"><a class="text-base text-[#999]">THE YC PROGRAM</a><ol class="mt-1 space-y-0.5 text-[#555] list-decimal"><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#the-goal">The Goal</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#funding">Funding</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#groups">Groups</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#office-hours">Office Hours</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#bookface">Bookface</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#batch-retreat">Batch Retreat</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#alumni-talks">Alumni Talks</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#public-launches">Public Launches</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#first-customers">First Customers</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#weekly-meetups">Weekly Meetups</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#demo-day">Demo Day</a></li></ol></li></ol><ol><li class="my-0 text-sm text-black [&_a]:text-black [&_a]:no-underline"><a class="text-base text-[#999]">ADVICE</a><ol class="mt-1 space-y-0.5 text-[#555] list-decimal"><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#ongoing-office-hours">Ongoing office hours</a></li></ol></li></ol><ol><li class="my-0 text-sm text-black [&_a]:text-black [&_a]:no-underline"><a class="text-base text-[#999]">COMMUNITY</a><ol class="mt-1 space-y-0.5 text-[#555] list-decimal"><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#alumni-community">Alumni community</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#alumni-reunion">Alumni Reunion</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#founder-communities">Founder Communities</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#alumni-demo-day">Alumni Demo Day</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#deals">Deals</a></li></ol></li></ol><ol><li class="my-0 text-sm text-black [&_a]:text-black [&_a]:no-underline"><a class="text-base text-[#999]">BRAND</a><ol class="mt-1 space-y-0.5 text-[#555] list-decimal"><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#credibility">Credibility</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#company-directory">Company Directory</a></li></ol></li></ol><ol><li class="my-0 text-sm text-black [&_a]:text-black [&_a]:no-underline"><a class="text-base text-[#999]">HIRING</a><ol class="mt-1 space-y-0.5 text-[#555] list-decimal"><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#work-at-a-startup">Work at a Startup</a></li><li class="ml-5"><a class="block rounded text-sm font-bold py-0.5 pl-1" href="#hacker-news">Hacker News</a></li></ol></li></ol></div></nav></section></div></div><footer aria-labelledby="footer-heading"><h2 id="footer-heading" class="sr-only">Footer</h2><div class="mx-auto max-w-ycdc-page py-12 lg:py-16"><div class="flex flex-col space-y-8 md:flex-row md:space-y-0"><div class="md:pr-16"><a class="block h-[45px] w-[45px] 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