Y-Combinator

Y-Combinator

Y Combinator is an American seed accelerator that provides funding, mentoring, and connections for early-stage startups. Founded in 2005, it has been instrumental in launching companies like Airbnb, Dropbox, Stripe, and Reddit.
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seed-funding mentorship startup-accelerator

Y Combinator: Seed Acceleration & Funding

Get funding, mentoring, and connections for early-stage startups with Y Combinator, a renowned American seed accelerator since 2005.

What is Y-Combinator?

Y Combinator is a seed accelerator program founded in 2005 by Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Trevor Blackwell, and Robert Tappan Morris. Located in Mountain View, California, Y Combinator provides seed funding, mentoring, and connections in exchange for a small amount of equity in early-stage startups.

The program runs twice a year, where selected startups relocate to Silicon Valley for 3 months. During this time, founders work intensively to get their startup into the best shape possible and refine their pitch to investors. At the end of the program, startups present their companies at Y Combinator's exclusive Demo Day, attended by hundreds of top venture capitalists.

As one of the pioneers of accelerators, Y Combinator has become one of the most selective and successful accelerators in the world. Notable companies funded by Y Combinator include Dropbox, Airbnb, Stripe, DoorDash, Coinbase, Instacart, and Reddit. Y Combinator startups have a combined valuation of over $300 billion.

The program provides pre-seed investment of $125,000 in exchange for 7% equity. But more importantly, participants gain access to Y Combinator's vast mentor and alumni network. Founders receive weekly one-on-one advice from YC partners, Silicon Valley luminaries, and peer founders to help tackle their startup's challenges.

Y Combinator has expanded beyond Silicon Valley as well, running programs in cities like London, Paris, and Mumbai. Their goal is to provide investment, insights, and connections to talented entrepreneurs worldwide building early-stage startups.

Y-Combinator Features

Features

  1. Seed funding for early-stage startups
  2. Mentorship from successful entrepreneurs
  3. Access to a large network of investors, founders and experts
  4. Structured accelerator program and demo days

Pricing

  • Free
  • Equity Investment

Pros

Receive initial capital to get started

Guidance from experienced founders

Make connections with potential co-founders, employees, mentors and investors

Learn how to rapidly iterate and validate your product

Cons

Highly competitive - only a small fraction get accepted

May need to relocate to participate in person

Give up some equity in exchange for funding

Time commitment required for program participation


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