Y Combinator
Also known as YC
Accelerator San Francisco, United States Since 2005 ycombinator.com
Overview
Startup accelerator founded in 2005 that funds companies in batches and runs a three-month program in San Francisco. It accepts companies from anywhere, from idea stage onward, and has funded more than 5,600 startups.
What startups get
US$500K per company: $125K on a post-money SAFE for 7% plus $375K on an uncapped MFN SAFE. Includes the three-month program, Demo Day, the alumni network and a portfolio deals marketplace. No program fees.
Details
- Type
- Accelerator
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, United States
- Format
- Cohort-based, in person in San Francisco
- Who can apply
- Any startup, from idea stage onward; founders must work on it full time
- Standard terms
- $500K for 7%
- Stages
- Pre-seed, Seed
- Started
- 2005
- Status
- Active
- Website
- ycombinator.com
Venture funds
Y Combinator also invests through venture funds managed by Y Combinator. Its latest fund, 2021 early-stage funds (two funds), closed at $2.2B in 2021. It ranks #25 of 427 firms in the Venture Capital Fund Index by latest fund size.
Notable alumni
About this data
Compiled from the program’s website, announcements, and press reports as of October 9, 2026. Terms, credits, and eligibility change between cohorts; confirm them with the program before applying. Alumni are examples, not a complete list.