This is an overview of the history of YC

2. Make something people want

3. Started March 20051
Y Combinator created a new model for funding
early stage startups
!
Twice a year we invest a small amount of money
($120k) in a large number of startups

4. How it Works
Your startup
moves to silicon
valley for 3
months
You work with
partners and
alumni to launch
a successful
MVP
On Demo Day
you present to the
best silicon valley
investors
2

5. But YC doesn’t end on Demo Day
YC Partners and alumni help YC founders
for the life of their company
3

6. 4
AIRBNB
YC Graduates
DROPBOX TWITCH
WEEBLY REDDIT STRIPE

7. YC’s 1st Batch
• 8 startups
• 15 founders
• Not in the Valley
• Demo day had fewer than 30 investors
• No more than $1m invested
5
SUMMER OF 2005

8. Current YC Batch
• 85 startups
• 200+ founders
• New office in Silicon Valley
• 350+ investors at demo day in August
• $100m+ raised in August
6
YC IS RUNNING ITS 17TH BATCH

9. Success of YC
• 700+ startups, 50+ international startups
• 1400 alumni
• $3B total raised by YC companies
• 20+ companies valued at $100m or higher
• 3 companies with valuations of $1B or higher
• Total value of all YC companies is $30B
7
OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS

10. Applying to YC
2-4 people,
50% tech,
pre-existing
relationship,
working
full time
Launched or
imminent
launch
Can you
graduate
at the top
of the class?
8
Billion
dollar
market
& growth

11. Thank you for Listening!
To learn more about the application
process, contact me at
michael@ycombinator.com
9