Y Combinator
Pre-Seed and Seed venture capital firm · San Francisco
Y Combinator is a Pre-Seed and Seed venture capital firm based in San Francisco that typically writes $500K–$2M checks in Fintech, Consumer and Infrastructure. DryPowder has no SEC Form D on file for Y Combinator as of October 20, 2026. Partners at Y Combinator include Paul Graham (Founder).
Updated · Sources: fund website, press
- Typical check
- $500K–$2M
- Stages
- Pre-Seed, Seed
- Headquarters
- San Francisco
Applying to YC? Line up seed funds that just filed a Form D too
Each of these seed and pre-seed funds filed an original SEC Form D in the last 60 days, the filing a fund makes when it offers interests to investors. SPVs and amendments are excluded.
Overview
Y Combinator at a glance
- Stage
- Pre-Seed, Seed
- Check size
- $500K–$2M
- Sectors
- Fintech, Consumer, Infrastructure, SaaS, Developer Tools, AI, Logistics, Crypto
- Headquarters
- San Francisco
- Cold inbound
- Accepted
- Website
- ycombinator.com
Investment thesis
YC turns builders into formidable founders by providing structured mentorship, funding, and network access during a 12-week batch program. The program transforms early-stage teams into companies capable of achieving extraordinary scale.
Stated on ycombinator.comWEBSITE
What sets Y Combinator apart
- 12-week intensive batch program model
- Cohort-based peer learning and network effects
- Hands-on mentor access from founder-operators
- Demonstrated track record of 13+ companies exceeding $1B+ valuations
What the portfolio shows
Portfolio 26
Backed: OpenAI, Airbnb, Stripe + 23 more
Partners
1 partner at Y Combinator
Activity
Deployment evidence
SEC Form D filings
DryPowder has no SEC Form D on file for Y Combinator in the last three years.
In the news
See all in deal flowSimilar funds
Funds like Y Combinator
FAQ
Questions about Y Combinator
What does Y Combinator invest in?
Y Combinator is a Seed, Pre-Seed stage Fintech, Consumer, Infrastructure, SaaS, Developer tools, AI, Logistics, Crypto investor, typically writing $500K – $2M checks, primarily investing in US. Their thesis: YC turns builders into formidable founders by providing structured mentorship, funding, and network access during a 12-week batch program. The program transforms early-stage teams into companies capable of achieving extraordinary scale.
What check size does Y Combinator write?
Y Combinator typically writes $500K – $2M checks at the Seed, Pre-Seed stage in Fintech, Consumer, Infrastructure, SaaS, Developer tools, AI, Logistics, Crypto.
What makes Y Combinator different from other funds?
Y Combinator stands out on 4 points: 12-week intensive batch program model; Cohort-based peer learning and network effects; Hands-on mentor access from founder-operators; Demonstrated track record of 13+ companies exceeding $1B+ valuations.
What other funds are similar to Y Combinator?
Funds with an overlapping stage and sector focus include Initialized Capital, Techstars Ventures, Notation Capital.
How do I reach Y Combinator?
Y Combinator accepts cold inbound, so a warm introduction is not required. Y Combinator publishes an application route at https://www.ycombinator.com/apply.
Sources
- Website: Y Combinator website (ycombinator.com)
- Press: techcrunch.com article mentioning Y Combinator,
- Press: news.crunchbase.com article mentioning Y Combinator,
- Press: news.crunchbase.com article mentioning Y Combinator,
- Method: How DryPowder builds its data
Updated