"Make something people want"
Y Combinator's investment thesis centers on finding founders who can execute rapidly and demonstrate clear evidence of product-market fit. They prioritize startups that show measurable traction, even at small scale, because early growth patterns often predict future success. YC believes strongly in the power of determined founders who can iterate quickly based on user feedback.
"The most successful founders are the ones who are most determined, not the ones who are most brilliant."
Direct user feedback trumps market research. YC founders are expected to have deep, ongoing conversations with customers.
Ship a minimum viable product quickly and iterate. Perfectionism is the enemy of progress.
Early-stage startups should focus on manual, high-touch approaches before automating.
Week-over-week growth is the primary metric. 5-7% weekly growth is considered good for YC startups.
Evidence of grit, resilience, and ability to overcome obstacles
Measurable user/revenue growth and engagement metrics
Total addressable market potential, even from niche starting point
Clear articulation of what you're building and for whom
Evidence of rapid shipping, iteration, and learning
Technical founder with domain expertise who ships fast and talks to users obsessively
$500K for 7% equity (standard YC deal)