Y Combinator
$125k for 7% plus $375k uncapped MFN SAFE · Global / San Francisco · Open now
Y Combinator is the world's most influential startup accelerator: a 3-month, in-person San Francisco program run four times a year, investing $500k in every company ($125k for 7% plus $375k on an uncapped MFN SAFE). Its value is concentrated in the alumni network, the demo-day fundraising ramp, and the brand signal — at the cost of 7% equity and relocation.
Tier 1 · ranked #1tier-1equity
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Program intake
Applications are currently open according to the program's authoritative source.
What the source says“The deadline to apply on-time was July 27 at 8pm PT, but we are still accepting late applications.”
Key facts
| Check size | $500k |
| Terms | $125k for 7% plus $375k uncapped MFN SAFE |
| Stage | pre-seed / seed |
| Applications | Open now |
| Program dates | Fall 2026 October-December; late applications accepted; Demo Day 2026-12-02 |
| Location | Global / San Francisco |
| Remote friendly | No |
| Warm intro needed | No — open application |
| Sectors | generalist |
| Status | open |
Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.
Background
Founded 2005 by Paul Graham, Jessica Livingston, Trevor Blackwell and Robert Morris in Cambridge, MA; moved to the Bay Area and became the template every other accelerator copies. Scaled through the 2010s under Sam Altman, expanded to ~4 batches/year under Garry Tan (president/CEO since 2023), and has re-centered on in-person San Francisco cohorts with a heavy AI concentration in recent batches.
How the application really works
Short written application + 1-minute founder video, then a single ~10-minute partner interview conducted rapid-fire, with decisions the same day. Batches have hard application deadlines with a late window; off-cycle applications are read but disadvantaged. They screen for formidable, fast-moving founders with clear thinking about users over polish of idea.
Tips
- Read the cited current official page before applying because program dates and terms are volatile.
- State fit with the documented stage, geography, and attendance model; do not rely on an aggregator's old terms.
- Ask for the complete investment, fee, and follow-on documents when the public page does not publish them.
Watch out for
- $125k for 7% (post-money SAFE) + $375k uncapped SAFE with MFN. Pro-rata rights in later rounds. No program fees.
- The Fall 2026 on-time deadline passed July 27, but YC explicitly accepts late applications and also accepts early applications for future batches.
Track record
- Airbnb (W09) — IPO 2020
- Stripe (S09) — one of the highest-valued private companies of its era
- Coinbase (S12) — IPO 2021
- DoorDash (S13) — IPO 2020
- Instacart (S12) — IPO 2023
Commonly reported at 1–2% of applications; YC has publicly referenced sub-2% rates (secondary sources; YC does not publish exact figures per batch).
Frequently asked questions
- Is this program currently accepting applications?
- Short written application + 1-minute founder video, then a single ~10-minute partner interview conducted rapid-fire, with decisions the same day. Batches have hard application deadlines with a late window; off-cycle applications are read but disadvantaged. They screen for formidable, fast-moving founders with clear thinking about users over polish of idea.
- What are the current economics?
- $125k for 7% (post-money SAFE) + $375k uncapped SAFE with MFN. Pro-rata rights in later rounds. No program fees.
- How large and long is the program?
- ~4 batches/year, roughly 200–250 companies per batch in recent years; ~5,000 alumni companies. 3 months, in-person SF. Weekly group-partner office hours, batch dinners with guest founders, alumni talks; culminates in Demo Day to a curated investor audience.
- Can founders participate remotely?
- Treat as in-person unless the operator confirms otherwise.
- What happens after the program?
- Lifetime access to Bookface (alumni network/forum), YC deals worth ~$500k+ in credits, follow-on support and later-stage programs.
Related accelerators
Sources
- www.ycombinator.com/apply — Canonical live application page; publishes batch deadline and late-application state. (checked 2026-08-21)
- www.ycombinator.com/deal — Standard deal terms ($500k structure) (checked 2026-08-10)
- www.ycombinator.com/faq — Relocation, eligibility, process (checked 2026-08-10)
- www.ycombinator.com/companies — Alumni outcomes (checked 2026-08-10)
- www.ycombinator.com — Official operator homepage and organization context. (checked 2026-08-10)
- www.axios.com/2023/09/09/y-combinator-valuations-vc — Axios reporting on Y Combinator's portfolio signal and valuation context. (checked 2026-08-22)