{
  "slug": "y-combinator",
  "name": "Y Combinator",
  "fields": {
    "Format": "Hybrid",
    "Investment Terms": "$500K immediately: $125K for 7% plus $375K uncapped MFN SAFE",
    "Full-time Expected": "After acceptance",
    "Funding Before Full-time": "Yes",
    "Mentorship Depth": "High-touch",
    "Company Required": "Can be unincorporated",
    "Recommendation": "Apply later",
    "Visa or Work Rights": "Founders must handle US travel/visa and company setup; YC participation does not itself confer work authorization.",
    "Economic Caveats": "The brand is not a reason to submit a confused multi-project application. Late applications are possible but a clean future batch is better unless evidence changes materially.",
    "Location": "San Francisco / global",
    "Newly Discovered": false,
    "Evidence Quality": "Official current",
    "Priority": "P2 Later",
    "Fit for Current Stage": "Later",
    "Structure or Accountability": "High",
    "Solo Eligibility": "Yes",
    "Last Verified": "2026-08-01",
    "Category": "Accelerator",
    "Stage Accepted": [
      "Idea",
      "Prototype",
      "MVP",
      "Traction",
      "Revenue"
    ],
    "Customer or GTM Support": "Strong",
    "Next Action": "Apply after a focused product and customer evidence, or sooner only with a genuinely strong demo and commitment.",
    "Application Timing Notes": "Fall 2026 deadline passed; late applications accepted; otherwise next batch",
    "Official URL": "https://www.ycombinator.com/apply",
    "Traction Requirement": "Helpful",
    "Can Keep Job": "No",
    "Funding Timing": "On acceptance",
    "Cash / Benefit Type": "Upfront investment",
    "Relocation Required": "Temporary relocation",
    "Sector or Thesis": [
      "General",
      "AI",
      "Devtools",
      "B2B SaaS"
    ],
    "External Status": "Rolling",
    "Cofounder Support": "Available",
    "Brand Value": "Exceptional",
    "Commitment Details": "Three-month batch; retreat plus weekly SF meetups; founders must work full-time on company",
    "Original Inventory": "Y Combinator, YC Application",
    "Why or Decisive Note": "Exceptional brand and economics. Apply once one company story and external evidence are coherent; solo status is acceptable.",
    "Region": [
      "Global",
      "United States"
    ],
    "Preference Alignment": "Strong",
    "Legacy Commitment Signal": "Fits paid full-time",
    "Application Effort": "Very high",
    "Primary Value": [
      "Funding",
      "Brand",
      "Mentorship",
      "Structure",
      "Network",
      "Customers",
      "Fundraising"
    ],
    "Application Requirements": "Focused company, concise written application, founder video, product/demo, exact metrics, interviews, and full-time commitment after acceptance",
    "Organization": "Y Combinator",
    "Weekly Load": "Full-time",
    "Company Funding": "$500K upfront",
    "Website Status": "Active",
    "Duration": "Approximately three months"
  },
  "html": "/funding/y-combinator"
}