Y Combinator
Status not published
Four batches a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) each with its own cut-off. The Fall 2026 batch (October-December, San Francisco) had an on-time deadline of 27 July 2026 at 8pm PT, with late applications still accepted and decisions by 28 August 2026. Applications to future batches can be submitted at any time.
This is EQUITY, not a grant. YC states 'We invest $500,000' in every accepted company, structured as '$125,000 on a post-money safe in return for 7% of your company' plus '$375,000 on an uncapped safe with a Most Favored Nation ("MFN") provision'. YC also takes pro rata rights to invest in subsequent rounds. Funding is not contingent on milestones and starts the day a company is accepted.
Y Combinator Management, LLC
private · supranational
Deadline: cutoff — Four batches a year (Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall) each with its own cut-off. The Fall 2026 batch (October-December, San Francisco) had an on-time deadline of 27 July 2026 at 8pm PT, with late applications still accepted and decisions by 28 August 2026. Applications to future batches can be submitted at any time.
This funder does not publish a success rate. We rank it using the rate observed across similar programmes and label it as an estimate rather than implying we know.
Moderate — a form and supporting documents.
Who can apply
- Stage: idea, pre_seed, seed
Open to founders anywhere, but the batch is run in person in San Francisco. YC does not publish company-age, revenue or headcount limits.
How to apply
- Submit the online application for the target batch, including a founder video. — link
- Shortlisted teams are interviewed.
- Accepted companies sign the standard deal documents and are funded from the day of acceptance. — link
- Participate in the three-month batch in San Francisco, ending in Demo Day.
What you will need
- Online application form
- One-minute founder video
Source. https://www.ycombinator.com/deal — checked 2026-08-14
"$125,000 on a post-money safe in return for 7% of your company"