The founders of Diode Computer leveraged their unique skills as electrical and software engineers to create an AI circuit board co-pilot, addressing a gap in communication between hardware and software engineering.

The early computing movement was driven by a small group of people who envisioned personal computing as a transformative technology.

Our team of about 50 people was able to build the entire airplane, demonstrating that small, high-caliber teams can achieve what larger teams cannot due to the constraints that breed innovation.

Small teams of passionate individuals can leverage technology to solve meaningful problems and create significant impact.

Designers today can control the means of production through software and code, making it an interesting time for them to build companies and products.

Successful hard tech ventures can create monumental leverage and defensibility, similar to the impact of the Manhattan Project and the Apollo missions, which are not captured in quarterly reports but in the stories that inspire humanity. Working on significant problems can lead organizations to venture into hard tech to access impactful solutions.

YC's recent events reflect a return to its roots, where hardcore researchers and technologists are at the forefront of building new technologies.

The 1970s were a dynamic time for innovation, with many early computer companies emerging, but today, it's more challenging for new startups to gain traction without unique insights that existing companies overlook.

YC was created to help young technical people start startups easily, applying mass production techniques to simplify the process.