Despite starting Y Combinator with the goal of helping a few entrepreneurs, we never anticipated funding a thousand startups, many of which have become very successful.

At Y Combinator, we advise against starting with a solution in search of a problem. Instead, focus on identifying real problems that need solving, which will lead to more efficient growth.

Y Combinator empowers individuals to create startups, enabling even small teams to build impactful companies in the AI space.

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.

I co-founded Y Combinator, the first startup accelerator, which began with a hypothesis about what people wanted, and it turned out they did want it, leading us to fund over 1,800 startups valued at over a hundred billion dollars.

The mantra at Y Combinator is to 'make something people want,' which is essential for solving most startup problems.

The real value of Y Combinator is the intensity of the program, which sets companies up for success by instilling a sense of urgency and focus on execution.

After graduating from Y Combinator, the number one problem for startups is hiring engineers.

I encourage applicants to Y Combinator to focus on solving real needs, regardless of their academic credentials, as long as they are passionate about their solutions.