# Y Combinator

Y Combinator is a Private Equity based in Mountain View, United States.

## Overview

- **Organization type:** Private Equity
- **Headquarters:** Mountain View, United States
- **Region:** North America
- **Address:** Mountain View, CA, United States
- **Founded:** 2005
- **Assets under management:** Undisclosed
- **Website:** www.ycombinator.com
- **LinkedIn:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/y-combinator

## Regulatory record

- **CRD number:** 171730
- **SEC file number:** 802-80528
- **Registration status:** Registered
- **Reports private funds:** Yes
- **IAPD record:** https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/171730

## About

Y Combinator is an investment adviser that provides support to founders, including key parts of the YC experience such as Bookface and the Demo Day website. The company has a team of experienced partners, including Garry Tan, Harj Taggar, and Jared Friedman, who have backgrounds in various fields such as computer systems engineering, jurisprudence, and computer science. Y Combinator has invested in several companies, including Scribd and Posterous.

## Sectors

- Enterprise Software
- AI/ML
- FinTech
- Digital Health
- ClimateTech
- Mobility & Transportation
- SpaceTech
- Robotics & Automation
- AgriTech & FoodTech
- InsurTech
- PropTech
- Cybersecurity
- Media & Entertainment
- Education

## People

- Garry Tan — President and CEO

## Questions

### Who runs investment decisions at Y Combinator?

Investment decisions for each batch are made by the YC partner group, led by President and CEO Garry Tan. Partners evaluate applications and interview candidates during a standardized selection process. Once admitted, startups are assigned to partner-led groups that provide ongoing office-hours guidance throughout the three-month program.

### How does Y Combinator source its deal flow?

YC sources globally through an open online application that feeds into four annual batches. Its wider funnel includes Hacker News, Startup School, and the alumni network of over 6,000 founders who refer new companies. Founders accepted into the program move to the Bay Area for the batch duration, creating a concentration of talent that pulls in further applications from startup hubs worldwide.

### Does Y Combinator participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?

YC deploys capital directly into startups via a standardized post-money safe instrument. It does not operate as a fund of funds or make commitments to external venture funds. The firm occasionally enables alumni-led SPVs for follow-on rounds, but its core activity is making direct batch investments of $500,000 per company.

### What investment stages does Y Combinator typically target?

YC targets pre-seed and seed-stage companies. Some arrive with just an idea and no product; others have launched and have early users. The program is designed to take startups from any initial state to a dramatically improved position—stronger product, more users, and better fundraising options—within three months.

### Which sectors does Y Combinator focus on?

YC is sector-agnostic but has strong concentrations in enterprise software, AI/ML, fintech, digital health, climate tech, and hard tech. Its portfolio spans consumer internet, developer tools, biotech, robotics, and education technology, and it does not restrict applications by industry.

## Related profiles

- [YCAB Ventures](https://altss.com/profile/ycab-ventures)
- [Yellow](https://altss.com/profile/yellow)

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Last updated: 2026-07-10T13:15:32.000Z

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