Y Combinator

Founded in 2005 by Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Robert Tappan Morris, and Trevor Blackwell,{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Paul |date=March 15, 2012 |title=How Y Combinator Started |url=http://old.ycombinator.com/start.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717042134/http://old.ycombinator.com/start.html |archive-date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=Y Combinator}} Y Combinator (YC) initiated operations with concurrent programs in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Mountain View, California. However, operational complexities arising from managing two programs prompted a consolidation in January 2009, resulting in the closing of the Cambridge program and the centralization of activities in Silicon Valley.{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Paul |date=January 2009 |title=California Year-Round |url=http://old.ycombinator.com/ycca.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306095108/http://old.ycombinator.com/ycca.html |archive-date=March 6, 2017 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=Y Combinator}}

Although often overlooked in early accounts, Jessica Livingston played a pivotal role in shaping Y Combinator's culture and success. As co-founder, she was instrumental in the organization's day-to-day operations and, crucially, in selecting founders.{{cite web |last=Graham |first=Paul |date=March 2024 |title=Jessica Livingston |url=https://paulgraham.com/jessica.html |access-date=2024-03-26}}

In 2009, Y Combinator secured a $2 million investment led by Sequoia Capital, enabling increased annual funding for around 60 companies.{{Cite news |date=May 16, 2009 |title=Y Combinator Gets The Sequoia Capital Seal Of Approval |work=TechCrunch |url=https://techcrunch.com/2009/03/16/y-combinator-gets-the-sequoia-capital-seal-of-approval/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919215653/http://techcrunch.com/2009/03/16/y-combinator-gets-the-sequoia-capital-seal-of-approval/ |archive-date=September 19, 2012}} Sequoia further supported YC in 2010 through an $8.25 million funding round, bolstering the organization's capability to accommodate a growing number of startups.{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=Leena |date=May 21, 2010 |title=Y Combinator Closes New $8.25 Million Fund, Sequoia Is Lead Investor |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/05/21/y-combinator-closes-new-8-25-million-fund-sequoia-is-lead-investor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915002136/https://techcrunch.com/2010/05/21/y-combinator-closes-new-8-25-million-fund-sequoia-is-lead-investor/ |archive-date=September 15, 2018 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |website=TechCrunch.com}} Concurrently, Kirsty Nathoo joined the team, initially as an accountant, and subsequently as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=Leena |date=February 9, 2013 |title=Meet Kirsty Nathoo, Y Combinator's Secret Financial And Operational Weapon |url=https://techcrunch.com/2013/02/09/meet-kirsty-nathoo-y-combinators-secret-financial-and-operational-weapon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191103044145/http://techcrunch.com/2013/02/09/meet-kirsty-nathoo-y-combinators-secret-financial-and-operational-weapon/ |archive-date=November 3, 2019 |access-date=January 20, 2020 |website=techcrunch.com |publisher=TechCrunch}} In 2011, Yuri Milner and SV Angel offered every Y Combinator company a $150,000 convertible note investment.{{Cite web |last=Arrington |first=Michael |date=January 28, 2011 |title=Start Fund: Yuri Milner, SV Angel Offer EVERY New Y Combinator Startup $150k |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/01/28/yuri-milner-sv-angel-offer-every-new-y-combinator-startup-150k/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140211070306/http://techcrunch.com/2011/01/28/yuri-milner-sv-angel-offer-every-new-y-combinator-startup-150k/ |archive-date=February 11, 2014 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=TechCrunch}} The amount put into each company was changed to $80,000 when Start Fund was renewed.{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=Leena |date=November 26, 2012 |title=Y Combinator's YC VC Will Replace The Start Fund; Includes Yuri Milner, Andreessen Horowitz But Offers Less Money |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/26/y-combinator-debuts-yc-vc-to-replace-the-start-fund-includes-yuri-milner-andreessen-horowitz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024023110/https://techcrunch.com/2012/11/26/y-combinator-debuts-yc-vc-to-replace-the-start-fund-includes-yuri-milner-andreessen-horowitz/ |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=TechCrunch}}

File:Paul Graham talking about Prototype Day at Y Combinator Summer 2009.jpg talking about Prototype Day at Y Combinator Summer 2009]]

File:335 Pioneer Way.jpg

Advisory roles were assumed by Harj Taggar and Alexis Ohanian in 2010,{{Cite web |last=Arrington |first=Michael |date=September 1, 2010 |title=Reddit Cofounder Alexis Ohanian To Join Y Combinator |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/09/01/reddit-cofounder-alexis-ohanian-to-join-y-combinator/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022142445/http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/01/reddit-cofounder-alexis-ohanian-to-join-y-combinator/ |archive-date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2012 |website=TechCrunch}} and Paul Buchheit and Taggar were named partners in November.{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Paul |date=November 12, 2010 |title=Y Combinator announces two new partners, Paul Buchheit and Harj Taggar |url=http://ycombinator.posterous.com/y-combinator-announces-two-new-partners-paul |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028025106/http://ycombinator.posterous.com/y-combinator-announces-two-new-partners-paul |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=February 28, 2012 |publisher=Y Combinator Posterous}} Michael Seibel joined Y Combinator as a part-time partner in January 2013 before becoming a full-time partner in 2014.{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2014 |title=Y Combinator hires first black partner to recruit more minorities |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/12/03/y-combinator-michael-seibel-minorities-silicon-valley-high-tech/19805087/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812080358/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/12/03/y-combinator-michael-seibel-minorities-silicon-valley-high-tech/19805087/ |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=August 29, 2020 |website=USA Today}} In September 2013, Y Combinator began funding nonprofit organizations that were accepted into the program after testing the concept with Watsi.{{Cite web |last=Yeung |first=Ken |date=September 6, 2013 |title=Y Combinator to Fund Non-Profit Startups with Charitable Donations |url=https://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/09/06/following-watsi-y-combinator-to-now-fund-non-profit-startups-in-the-form-of-a-charitable-donation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006091500/http://thenextweb.com/insider/2013/09/06/following-watsi-y-combinator-to-now-fund-non-profit-startups-in-the-form-of-a-charitable-donation/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 1, 2014 |website=The Next Web}} Sam Altman took part in Y Combinator's inaugural cohort in 2005 as a founder.{{cite web|url=https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/founders?batches=S05|title=Y Combinator Companies|publisher=Y Combinator}} In 2014, Paul Graham appointed him as President.{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Paul |date=February 21, 2014 |title=Sam Altman for President |url=http://blog.ycombinator.com/sam-altman-for-president |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170325040953/http://blog.ycombinator.com/sam-altman-for-president/ |archive-date=March 25, 2017 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=Y Combinator}} Altman introduced a revised equity offering of $150,000 for a 7% stake.{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2014 |title=Y Combinator's 'New Deal' for startups: More money, same 7% equity |url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/04/22/future-y-combinators-new-deal-more-money-but-still-for-7-in-equity/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129043259/http://venturebeat.com/2014/04/22/future-y-combinators-new-deal-more-money-but-still-for-7-in-equity/ |archive-date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2016 |website=VentureBeat}}

Global outreach became evident in 2016 as YC partners embarked on visits to 11 countries (Nigeria, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Israel, and India) to engage with founders and learn about international startup communities.{{Cite web |last=Modgil |first=Shweta |date=August 16, 2016 |title=YCombinator Is Coming To India This September; Here's Why You Should Be Excited |url=https://inc42.com/buzz/ycombinator-coming-to-india/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817174801/https://inc42.com/buzz/ycombinator-coming-to-india/ |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016 |website=Inc 42}} That summer, Altman returned to Y Combinator as a founder and worked on OpenAI.{{cite web|url=https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/openai|title=Y Combinator Companies - OpenAI|publisher=Y Combinator}} Leadership responsibilities were delegated to Ali Rowghani and Michael Seibel for YC Continuity and YC Core programs, respectively.{{Cite web |last=Schubarth |first=Cromwell |date=September 13, 2016 |title=Y Combinator names new leaders as it changes shape again |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/blog/techflash/2016/09/y-combinator-names-new-leaders-as-it-changes-shape.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011225026/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/blog/techflash/2016/09/y-combinator-names-new-leaders-as-it-changes-shape.html |archive-date=October 11, 2016 |access-date=October 18, 2016 |website=Silicon Valley Business Journal}} Startup School, introduced in 2017, provided startups with online courses and personalized coaching. More than 1500 startups graduated from the program in its first year.{{Cite web |last=Constine |first=Josh |date=June 16, 2017 |title=1500+ startups graduate Y Combinator's first online Startup School |url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/16/startup-school/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809060211/https://techcrunch.com/2017/06/16/startup-school/ |archive-date=August 9, 2020 |access-date=April 13, 2020 |website=TechCrunch}}

In 2018, Y Combinator announced a new batch of startup schools. After a software glitch, all 15,000 startups that applied to the program were accepted, only to learn a few hours later that they had been rejected.{{Cite web |date=August 21, 2018 |title=Y Combinator accepts 15,000 startups into its online school after software glitch causes confusion |url=https://venturebeat.com/2018/08/21/y-combinator-accepts-15000-startups-into-its-online-school-after-software-glitch-causes-confusion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822081113/https://venturebeat.com/2018/08/21/y-combinator-accepts-15000-startups-into-its-online-school-after-software-glitch-causes-confusion/ |archive-date=August 22, 2018 |access-date=August 22, 2018 |website=VentureBeat}} In response to the ensuing outcry, Y Combinator accepted all 15,000 companies involved in the incident.{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2018 |title=Startup School: Every Company that Applied is Now Accepted |url=https://blog.ycombinator.com/startup-school-every-company-that-applied-is-now-accepted/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617182218/https://blog.ycombinator.com/startup-school-every-company-that-applied-is-now-accepted/ |archive-date=June 17, 2020 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=Y Combinator Blog}}{{cite web | last=Schleifer | first=Theodore | title=Y Combinator accidentally let 15,000 people into an exclusive program | website=Vox | date=2019-02-27 | url=https://www.vox.com/2019/2/27/18241034/y-combinator-startup-school-expansion#:~:text=When%20Y%20Combinator%20accidentally%20admitted,for%20emotionally%20vulnerable%20startup%20founders. | access-date=2023-12-26}} The same year, Qi Lu, a former CEO of Bing and Baidu, briefly assumed the role of CEO for YC China.{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2018 |title=Y Combinator is launching a startup program in China |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/14/y-combinator-china-qi-lu/ |access-date=October 27, 2019 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} In November, YC announced Lu's departure and their decision to not pursue a program in China.{{Cite web |title=An update on YC China |url=https://blog.ycombinator.com/an-update-on-yc-china/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121184653/https://blog.ycombinator.com/an-update-on-yc-china/ |archive-date=November 21, 2019 |access-date=October 27, 2019 |website=Y Combinator |language=en-US}} YC China later morphed into MiraclePlus, an accelerator similar to YC, with Lu once again at the helm.

Geoff Ralston succeeded Altman as Y Combinator's president in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Altman |first=Sam |title=Geoff Ralston for President |url=https://blog.ycombinator.com/geoff-ralston-for-president/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617034816/https://blog.ycombinator.com/geoff-ralston-for-president/ |archive-date=June 17, 2019 |access-date=June 17, 2019 |website=Y Combinator |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2019 |title=Y Combinator president Sam Altman is stepping down amid a series of changes at the accelerator |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/08/y-combinator-president-sam-altman-is-stepping-down-amid-a-series-of-changes-at-the-accelerator/ |access-date=September 9, 2020 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

Adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, Y Combinator conducted its summer 2020 batch remotely.{{Cite web |last=Seibel |first=Michael |date=April 20, 2020 |title=YC S20 Remote Batch |url=https://blog.ycombinator.com/yc-s20-remote-batch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421073317/https://blog.ycombinator.com/yc-s20-remote-batch/ |archive-date=April 21, 2020 |access-date=April 21, 2020 |website=Y Combinator}} In January 2022, a revised standard deal of $500,000 was introduced, comprising $125,000 for a 7% equity stake and an additional $375,000 via an uncapped safe mechanism incorporating a Most Favored Nation (MFN) clause.{{Cite web |last=Mascarenhas |first=Natasha |date=August 2, 2022 |title=Y Combinator narrows current cohort size by 40%, citing downturn and funding environment |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/02/y-combinator-narrows-current-cohort-size-by-40-citing-downturn-and-funding-environment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220915064656/https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/02/y-combinator-narrows-current-cohort-size-by-40-citing-downturn-and-funding-environment/ |archive-date=September 15, 2022 |access-date=September 15, 2022 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} The summer of 2022 saw a deliberate reduction in the startup intake by 40%, from 414 companies to 250.

In January 2023, Garry Tan assumed the positions of president and CEO, succeeding Geoff Ralston.{{Cite web |title=Welcome Home, Garry Tan |url=https://www.ycombinator.com/blog/welcome-home-garry-tan |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=Y Combinator |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Y Combinator Names Venture Capitalist Garry Tan As Its Next President |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2022/08/29/y-combinator-names-garry-tan-as-next-president/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225005410/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2022/08/29/y-combinator-names-garry-tan-as-next-president/ |archive-date=February 25, 2023 |access-date=February 24, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mascarenhas |first=Natasha |date=2022-08-29 |title=Garry Tan's return is a full circle moment for Y Combinator |url=https://techcrunch.com/2022/08/29/garry-tan-y-combinator-q-and-a-ceo-and-president-initialized-capital/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}} Tan's leadership marked the discontinuation of the YC Continuity growth fund.{{Cite web |title=Y Combinator to End Late-Stage Startup Fund, Lays Off Staff |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/y-combinator-to-end-late-stage-startup-continuity-fund |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=The Information}}

YC moved its headquarters from Mountain View to San Francisco in the spring of 2023.{{Cite web |last=Mathews |first=Jessica |date=January 12, 2024 |title=Garry Tan says founders 'have to be in San Francisco' as Y Combinator ditches Mountain View headquarters for the big city |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/garry-tan-says-founders-san-123939439.html |work=Fortune |via=Yahoo! Finance |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113102744/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/garry-tan-says-founders-san-123939439.html |archive-date=January 13, 2024 |url-status=live}} It had been considering such a move since 2019.{{Cite web |last=Schubarth |first=Cromwell |date=March 6, 2019 |title=Y Combinator weighs possible HQ move to San Francisco |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2019/03/06/y-combinator-weighs-possible-move-san-francisco.html |access-date=October 16, 2024 |website=San Francisco Business Times }}

In March 2024, Seibel stepped down as managing director.{{cite news |last1=Levy |first1=Steven |title=Y Combinator's Chief Startup Whisperer Is Demoting Himself |url=https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-y-combinator-michael-seibel-startup-whisperer/ |access-date=17 March 2024 |work=Wired |date=15 March 2024}}

Y Combinator interviews and selects four batches of companies per year.{{cite web |title=Announcing the YC Spring 2025 batch |url=https://www.ycombinator.com/blog/announcing-yc-x25 |website=Y Combinator |access-date=April 25, 2025}} The companies receive a total of $500,000 in seed money as well as advice and connections. The $500,000 in funding is made up of $125,000 on a post-money SAFE in return for 7% equity and $375,000 on an uncapped SAFE with a "most favored nation" ("MFN") provision (i.e.: "we get the same best terms you give anyone else in the next round").{{Cite web |title=The Y Combinator Standard Deal |url=https://www.ycombinator.com/deal |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=Y Combinator |language=en}} Non-profits receive a $100,000 donation.{{Cite web |last=Nathoo |first=Kirsty |date=January 2022 |title=The New Deal |url=https://www.ycombinator.com/deal/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 16, 2022 |website=Y Combinator |archive-date=January 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116080437/https://www.ycombinator.com/deal/ }} The program includes "office hours", where startup founders meet individually and participate in group meetings. Founders also participate in weekly meetups where guests from the Silicon Valley ecosystem (successful entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, etc.) speak to the founders.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

Y Combinator's program is designed to teach founders how to market their product, refine their teams and business models, achieve product/market fit, and scale the startup into a high growth business, etc. The program ends with "Demo Day", where startups present their business and technology prototypes to potential investors.{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Paul |date=June 2014 |title=What happens at YC |url=http://ycombinator.com/atyc.html |access-date=May 8, 2013 |website=Y Combinator |archive-date=March 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303091543/https://www.ycombinator.com/atyc.html |url-status=live }}{{primary inline|date=October 2023}}

Y Combinator operates additional programs and a fund designed to support and invest in startups which have already graduated from the main accelerator program. The Series A Program, YC Post-A Program, and YC Growth Program are operated by the same team and focus on helping fast-growing YC startups, and startups raising their Series B funding of $20 million to $100 million.{{Cite web |title=Y Combinator Continuity |url=https://www.ycombinator.com/continuity/ |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018052441/https://www.ycombinator.com/continuity/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=YC Growth Program |url=https://www.ycombinator.com/growth-program |access-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-date=October 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018052442/https://www.ycombinator.com/growth-program |url-status=dead }}{{primary inline|date=October 2023}}

Y Combinator has introduced additional programs since 2015, including:

• In July 2015, Y Combinator introduced the YC Fellowship Program, aimed at companies at an earlier stage than the main program.{{Cite web |last=Loizos |first=Connie |date=July 20, 2015 |title=Y Combinator Just Introduced a New Program to Reach Up to "1,000" Companies Per Year |url=https://techcrunch.com/2015/07/20/y-combinator-just-introduced-a-new-program-to-reach-up-to-1000-companies-per-year/ |access-date=July 21, 2015 |website=TechCrunch |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721024115/http://techcrunch.com/2015/07/20/y-combinator-just-introduced-a-new-program-to-reach-up-to-1000-companies-per-year/ |url-status=live }} The first batch of YC Fellowship included 32 companies that received an equity-free grant instead of an investment.{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2021 |title=Y Combinator |url=https://www.ycombinator.com/topcompanies/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017153154/https://www.ycombinator.com/topcompanies/ }} In January 2016, YC changed the program, with participating companies receiving $20k investment for a 1.5 percent equity stake. The equity stake is structured as a convertible security that converts into shares only if a company has an initial public offering (IPO), or a funding event or acquisition that values the company at $100 million or more.{{Cite web |title=Fellowship V2 |url=http://blog.ycombinator.com/fellowship-v2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129070644/http://blog.ycombinator.com/fellowship-v2 |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |access-date=January 27, 2016 |website=Y Combinator Posthaven}} The fellowship was discontinued in 2017.{{Cite web |date=September 13, 2016 |title=With a new CEO, Y Combinator will wind down fellowships and start a MOOC |url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/13/with-a-new-ceo-y-combinator-will-wind-down-fellowships-and-start-a-mooc/ |access-date=September 9, 2020 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}
• In October 2015, Y Combinator introduced the now-defunct YC Continuity Fund. The fund allowed Y Combinator to make pro rata investments in their alumni companies. The program was shut down, and staff were laid off in March 2023.{{Cite web |title=Y Combinator to End Late-Stage Startup Fund, Lays Off Staff |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/y-combinator-to-end-late-stage-startup-continuity-fund |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=The Information}}
• During 2017–2019, YC launched Startup School, the Series A program, the YC Growth program, Work at a Startup, and YC China.{{Cite web |last=Combinator |first=Y. |title=Updates from YC |url=https://blog.ycombinator.com/updates-from-yc/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310142852/https://blog.ycombinator.com/updates-from-yc/ |archive-date=March 10, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2019 |website=Y Combinator |language=en-US}}{{primary inline|date=October 2023}}

As of 2025, Y Combinator had invested in over 5,000 companies, most of which are for-profit, holding a combined valuation of $600 billion.{{cite web|url=https://www.ycombinator.com/|title=Y Combinator|publisher=Y Combinator}} Non-profit organizations can also participate in the main YC program.{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Paul |date=September 2013 |title=YC Will Now Fund Nonprofits Too |url=http://www.ycombinator.com/nonprofits/ |access-date=October 18, 2016 |website=Y Combinator |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918182950/http://www.ycombinator.com/nonprofits/ |url-status=live }} Few non-profits have been accepted in the last years, among them Watsi, Women Who Code, New Story, SIRUM, Zidisha, 80,000 Hours, and Our World in Data.{{Cite web |date=March 19, 2019 |title=Here are the 85+ startups that launched at YC's W19 Demo Day 1 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/18/here-are-the-85-startups-that-launched-today-at-y-combinators-w19-demo-day-1/ |access-date=July 9, 2019 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}

In October 2015, YC introduced YC Research to fund long-term fundamental research. Altman donated $10m. Researchers were paid as full-time employees and can receive equity in Y Combinator.{{Cite web |last=Altman |first=Sam |date=October 7, 2015 |title=YC Research |url=http://blog.ycombinator.com/yc-research |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029062019/http://blog.ycombinator.com/yc-research |archive-date=October 29, 2015 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=Y Combinator Posthaven}}{{Cite web |last=Yeung |first=Ken |date=October 8, 2015 |title=Sam Altman commits $10M to start Y Combinator research lab |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/10/07/sam-altman-commits-10m-to-start-y-combinator-research-lab/ |website=VentureBeat |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-date=June 11, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170611234849/https://venturebeat.com/2015/10/07/sam-altman-commits-10m-to-start-y-combinator-research-lab/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Casey |date=October 7, 2015 |title=Y Combinator is launching its own in-house moonshot group |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/10/7/9473703/y-combinator-research |website=The Verge |access-date=September 18, 2017 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107005258/https://www.theverge.com/2015/10/7/9473703/y-combinator-research |url-status=live }}

OpenAI was the first project undertaken by YC Research, and in January 2016, a second study on basic income was also announced.{{Cite web |title=YCR is a non-profit research lab |url=https://ycr.org/ |access-date=October 22, 2016 |website=Y Combinator Research |archive-date=June 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611042811/https://ycr.org/ |url-status=live }} Another project was research on new cities.{{Cite web |last=Cheung |first=Adora |title=New Cities |url=https://blog.ycombinator.com/new-cities/ |access-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-date=November 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116074421/https://blog.ycombinator.com/new-cities/ |url-status=live }}

The Human Advancement Research Community (HARC) project was set up in 2016 with the "mission to ensure human wisdom exceeds human power".{{Cite web |title=Human Advancement Research Community |url=https://cdg.gitlab.io/ |website=HARC |date=2016 |access-date=October 16, 2024 }}{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2016 |title=Y Combinator launches new 'Human Advancement Research Community' |url=https://www.fastcompany.com/4006988/y-combinator-launches-new-human-advancement-research-community |access-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034421/https://www.fastcompany.com/4006988/y-combinator-launches-new-human-advancement-research-community |url-status=live }} The project was inspired by a conversation between Altman and Alan Kay.{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2016 |title=Y Combinator Research launches Human Advancement Research Community, Alan Kay participating |url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/05/11/y-combinator-research-launches-human-advancement-research-community-alan-kay-participating/ |access-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041016/https://venturebeat.com/2016/05/11/y-combinator-research-launches-human-advancement-research-community-alan-kay-participating/ |url-status=live }} Its projects included modelling, visualizing and teaching software, as well as programming languages. Members included Alan Kay, Dan Ingalls, Bret Victor, Vi Hart, and Patrick Scaglia.{{Cite web |last=Altman |first=Sam |title=HARC |url=https://blog.ycombinator.com/harc/ |access-date=November 26, 2017 |archive-date=October 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012183943/http://blog.ycombinator.com/harc/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2017 |title=Members |url=https://harc.ycr.org/member/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126184959/https://harc.ycr.org/member/ |archive-date=November 26, 2017}} HARC was shut down in 2017.{{cite web |url=https://github.com/harc |title=HARC |website=GitHub |access-date=October 16, 2024}}

Australian quantum physicist Michael Nielsen was a research fellow at YC Research from 2016 to 2019.{{Cite web |title=Michael Nielsen |url=http://michaelnielsen.org/ |access-date=March 27, 2019 |website=michaelnielsen.org |archive-date=April 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409220626/http://michaelnielsen.org/ |url-status=live }}

YC Research disaffiliated with Y Combinator and was renamed to Open Research in 2020.{{Cite web |title=YC Research, now OpenResearch, and its portfolio of research projects are no longer affiliated with Y Combinator |url=https://ycr.org/ |access-date=March 6, 2023 |website=ycr.org |archive-date=June 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611042811/https://ycr.org/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=About Us |website=OpenResearch |url=https://www.openresearchlab.org/ |access-date=October 16, 2024 }}

• List of Y Combinator startups
• Hacker News
• Techstars
• 500 Startups
• HighTechXL
• Entrepreneurs Roundtable Accelerator

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• {{Official website}}
• [https://www.miracleplus.com/ Wonderful Performance], formerly Y Combinator China

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