HomeGuide · Getting in
How to get into YC
Getting into Y Combinator comes down to two things you control: making real progress on something people want, and explaining it clearly. This page collects what YC and its partners have said publicly about who gets in, the numbers YC has published, and the steps from application to decision.
Sources are linked inline and were checked October 25, 2026. Figures are YC’s own; we don’t estimate numbers YC hasn’t published. Placet is not affiliated with Y Combinator.
The short version
Make progress.
Build something and show it to users. YC partner Dalton Caldwell has said the first thing he looks for is whether founders are serious enough to have made something and shown it to people (interview).
Write a clear application.
Go through every question, starting with your one-liner. Plain words and specific facts beat adjectives.
Record the founder video.
One minute, all founders, no script. See the founder video guide.
Apply on time.
For Winter 2027 that means by Monday, November 2, 2026, 8:00 pm PT (deadlines).
Prepare for the interview.
A 10-minute conversation with partners. See YC interview questions.
What YC looks for
- Founders first. Paul Graham writes in Paul Graham, “How to Apply to Y Combinator” (hosted by YC) that he cares more about the founders than the idea, because most funded startups change their idea significantly. What counts is the magnitude of what you have achieved, not the type.
- Insight into the idea. The same essay says a good idea matters mostly as evidence of insight: what you understand that others don’t, and how you will handle the obvious obstacles. “Easy to use” is not an insight.
- Seriousness. Caldwell points to signals like a prototype, a first user or a first dollar of revenue.
- A team that gets things done. In a 2016 partner Q&A, Kirsty Nathoo described looking for determination, the ability to get things done and to work together, and Jessica Livingston mentioned founders who have known each other a while and are solving a problem they have themselves.
- Clarity. Graham calls expressing yourself clearly the biggest thing applicants don’t understand about the process. Our review rubric is built on this.
Acceptance rate
YC’s investors page says that more than 10,000 companies apply every three months and that YC typically has a 1% acceptance rate. For one specific batch, YC’s Winter 2024 batch announcement says 260 companies were selected from more than 27,000 applications, which it called an acceptance rate under 1% (260 ÷ 27,000 is about 0.96%). YC doesn’t publish the figure for every batch, so treat “about 1%” as the best public number.
A low rate is not a reason to wait. The YC FAQ says that on average 40% of the companies funded in each batch are just an idea, and that 7% of recent batches had more than $50k in monthly revenue when accepted.
Solo founders
The YC FAQ says YC regularly accepts solo founders, while advising that one-person startups are tough and that you are more likely to succeed with a co-founder. YC runs a free co-founder matching service. The FAQ also says the founding team should be able to build the product themselves rather than outsource it, which for most businesses means having a technical founder.
Early Decision
According to YC’s Early Decision page, students can apply now and reserve a place in a later batch. The most common path is applying in the fall of your final year and joining the summer batch after you graduate. You submit the same application and go through the same interview; if accepted, YC funds you immediately and confirms your future batch. On the form, you pick a batch after Winter 2027 when asked which batch you are applying for. YC’s apply page currently says Spring, Summer and Fall batches are open for applications too.
Timeline (Winter 2027)
From YC’s apply page and interview guide.
| Step | When |
|---|---|
| On-time deadline | Monday, November 2, 2026, 8:00 pm PT |
| Interviews (about 10 minutes, mostly by video) | November and December |
| Decision | Typically the same day as the interview; on-time applicants hear by December 11, 2026 |
| Late applications | Still considered, with no promise on timing |
| Investment | As soon as you are accepted |
| Batch | January to March, in person in San Francisco |
Every Placet guide
- YC application questions, explained: every question on the form, section by section
- Answer-by-answer checklist: what the most important questions are really asking
- How to write your one-liner: the 50-character description, with real examples
- The YC founder video: what to say in the one-minute video
- YC interview questions: the 10-minute interview and how to prepare
- Applications founders published: real applications, accepted and rejected
- Deadlines: dates from the official apply page
- Startup pitch library: 676 real one-liners and launches
- How we review: the rubric our reviewer uses, with sources
Common questions
What is Y Combinator’s acceptance rate?
About 1%. YC’s investors page says more than 10,000 companies apply every three months and that it typically has a 1% acceptance rate. For Winter 2024, YC said it selected 260 companies from more than 27,000 applications, an acceptance rate under 1%.
Can a solo founder get into YC?
Yes. The YC FAQ says YC regularly accepts solo founders, while advising that one-person startups are tough and that you are more likely to succeed with a co-founder.
Can I apply to YC with just an idea?
Yes. The YC FAQ says that on average 40% of the companies YC funds in each batch are just an idea, and that it is a mistake to wait for more traction before applying.
What is YC Early Decision?
A way for students to apply now and reserve a place in a later batch, typically the summer batch after they graduate. If accepted, YC funds you right away and holds your spot.
When is the Winter 2027 deadline?
The on-time deadline is Monday, November 2, 2026, 8:00 pm PT, according to YC’s apply page. Applications sent later are still considered.