Y Combinator: funding, terms & how to apply
The accelerator every other accelerator is measured against — $500K on founder-friendly terms, four batches a year in San Francisco, and the strongest alumni network in tech.
Investment
$500K ($125K for 7% + $375K uncapped MFN SAFE)
Equity
7% on the $125K; the $375K SAFE converts at your next round
Program length
3 months
Format
In person
Deadlines
4 batches/year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall); applications open a few months before each
Acceptance rate
~1% (recent batches below 1%)
Facts last checked 2026-08-26. Deals and dates change — the official site is always the source of truth for the current application window.
What Y Combinator actually is
Y Combinator invented the modern batch accelerator and still sets its terms: $500K per company, structured as $125K for 7% plus a $375K SAFE with no cap and a most-favored-nation clause. Batches run four times a year in San Francisco, ending in a Demo Day in front of the densest investor audience in the world.
What actually gets companies in is disarmingly consistent across two decades of partner advice: clear thinking, fast shipping, and evidence of growth — however small. The application form itself is a filter for clarity; founders who can state what they do in one plain sentence, who their users are, and what they've learned from them outperform polished decks every time.
What they look for
The bar you need to clear before the application is worth sending.
A plain-language answer to 'what do you do and who wants it' — clarity is the first screen.
Founders who build fast: weekly progress matters more than credentials.
Some evidence of use — users, revenue, waitlist behavior, even a compelling prototype.
Formidable, determined founding teams; solo founders are accepted but co-founded teams are preferred.
Before you apply
Most rejections happen before the interview — in the application itself
Every question Y Combinator asks — problem, traction, business model, team, market size — maps to work you can finish first. Build your startup profile in StartupKit, run the readiness score, and walk into the application with real answers instead of blank fields. Free, no card.
Build your startup profile freeApplication FAQ
What is YC's standard deal?
$500K total: $125K in exchange for 7% equity, plus $375K on an uncapped SAFE with an MFN clause that converts at your next priced round's terms.
What is YC's acceptance rate?
Around 1%, and reported below 1% for recent batches. Reapplying after progress is common — many accepted companies got in on a second or third try.
Do I have to move to San Francisco?
Yes — batches are in person in San Francisco for the full 3 months. Companies from anywhere in the world can apply, but attendance means relocating for the batch.
Can I apply with just an idea?
Yes. YC funds idea-stage companies, though anything demonstrating momentum — a prototype, early users, prior launches — materially strengthens the application.
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