YC does fund solo founders, but it's significantly harder for them to succeed due to the limitations of one person managing all aspects of a startup.

Being a solo founder is challenging due to the workload and emotional ups and downs, making it harder to succeed without a co-founder for support.

Co-founders typically collaborate to develop ideas together, sharing excitement and inspiration, which is vital for a successful partnership. If you're applying to Y Combinator, it's better to have a co-founder because single founders are disproportionately unlikely to get accepted.

Seeking a co-founder just to fill perceived deficiencies or to check a box for the YC application is a bad idea; founders should try to succeed on their own first.

You can start a really successful company as a solo founder, but it's hard. Having a co-founder helps you share tasks and the emotional burden of starting a company.

Having a co-founder can provide essential support during challenging times, making it easier to navigate the ups and downs of startup life, as opposed to going solo.

Solo founders face challenges in gaining acceptance into Y Combinator, with a noticeable decline in their representation in recent batches.

Y Combinator funds solo founders and there are many misconceptions about this. We support individuals who are determined and solving real problems, regardless of their age, gender, or background.

Joining Y Combinator turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made, especially as we faced severe financial challenges before receiving their support. Starting and running a company as a founder can be a very lonely experience, where you often feel responsible for everyone's future and only you know the reality of the low times.