The early days of Y Combinator were magical and pure; we focused on helping a small group of founders without distractions or negative scrutiny from the press.

Many successful founders funded by Y Combinator had little to no online presence in the early stages of their companies, and focusing too much on establishing thought leadership can distract from what truly matters: making your company work.

During Y Combinator, founders should prioritize writing code, talking to users, and exercising, avoiding distractions like networking or hiring interns.

The new Y Combinator standard deal alleviates pressure on founders by allowing them to focus on building conviction without the immediate stress of fundraising.

My experience with Y Combinator was incredibly intense, creating a sense of urgency that is crucial for startup success.

The foundation of Y Combinator was based on the idea that it was becoming easier to build startups without needing massive capital or large teams, a trend that has accelerated with AI.

If hard tech founders can establish a habit of operating efficiently during Y Combinator, it can lead to long-term success in their ventures.

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.

Y Combinator is an excellent platform for startups to gain focus and direction, especially during the critical incubation stage.