The Shortcut to Getting into Y Combinator: We Built an AI That Benchmarks You Against S25 & W26 Cohorts

Applying to Y Combinator is often described as a black box. You fill out a form, record a 1-minute video, and wait. Maybe you get an interview, maybe you don't. The feedback loop is non-existent, and the rejection emails are generic.

We decided to change that.

Today, we are launching The Shortcut to Getting on YC, a free, AI-powered assessment that benchmarks your startup against the patterns of successful companies from the most recent YC batches (S25, F25, and W26).

The Problem: You Don't Know What You Don't Know

Most founders fail to get into YC not because their idea is bad, but because they fail to communicate it clearly. They bury the lead. They use jargon. They focus on the "what" instead of the "why."

Or worse, they have a fundamental weakness in their business model—like a "tarpit idea" or a lack of founder-market fit—that they are completely blind to.

The Solution: An AI Partner That Has "Seen" the Data

We built a specialized AI engine trained on the characteristics of accepted YC companies. It doesn't just spell-check your answers; it interrogates your business model.

Here is what happens when you run the assessment:

1. Benchmarking: We compare your startup's metrics and stage against the acceptance patterns of recent cohorts.
2. Founder Analysis: We evaluate your team's background for "Founder-Market Fit" and technical capability.
3. Readiness Score: You get a concrete "Readiness Score" and a breakdown of your strengths and critical gaps.
4. Brutal Honesty: Our AI is designed to be direct. If your idea sounds like a "vitamin" instead of a "painkiller," it will tell you.

Why We Made It Free

We believe that feedback shouldn't be a luxury. Every founder deserves to know where they stand before they waste weeks waiting for a rejection letter.

By making this tool public, we hope to help thousands of founders refine their pitch, tighten their business model, and increase their odds of getting that life-changing interview.

Try It Now

Don't submit your application into the void. Get a clear, data-driven analysis of your odds today.

Take the YC Readiness Assessment →