In YC applications, I look for unique insights on customer acquisition and how well founders can communicate their ideas during interviews.

At YC, we followed the principle of treating founders like family, which was easier in the early days when there were fewer founders to manage.

We continue to filter for character in our interview process, even with multiple tracks now in place. When you meet a Y Combinator founder, you can trust them; they embody the culture of YC, which reflects the founders' values.

Co-founders must get along well; many startups fail due to disputes between co-founders, so I look for signs of a strong working relationship during interviews.

When evaluating applications, we look at how well the founders know each other and their history together, as a strong relationship is crucial for co-founding teams.

I was fascinated by founder psychology and the dynamics of their relationships, which influenced my evaluations during interviews.

When evaluating a startup application, YC looks for unique insights on user acquisition and the founder's competence. Having traction and a clear understanding of your market is crucial.

About 20% of co-founding teams in top YC companies met at work, while 16% were introduced by mutual friends.

The YC co-founder matching platform helps people find co-founders by allowing them to upload profiles and connect with others looking to start a company.