The shift to remote operations has proven effective for Y Combinator, making it easier to interview and fund companies globally, which may continue post-pandemic.

During the pandemic, we received unexpected calls from companies like A&D Networks and Viacom CBS, who needed our help with remote collaboration. This led us to redefine our service from a general file access platform to a creative content collaboration tool, significantly increasing our annual recurring revenue.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we had to pivot quickly. Instead of laying off our team as advised, we chose to be transparent and asked everyone to take pay cuts to weather the storm together, which ultimately helped us find our product-market fit.

During the pandemic, I adapted my seminars to be accessible online, allowing people from all over the world to participate without barriers.

Post-pandemic, I believe in the benefits of distributed workforces, which have allowed for more inclusive and flexible work environments.

I believe we'll see more remote teams and workers as technology makes it easier to collaborate through tools like Slack and Zoom.

Starting as a remote company helped us develop cultural habits that make remote work successful, such as effective communication and documentation.

Remote operations have allowed Y Combinator to widen its net, enabling startups from around the world to participate without relocating to Silicon Valley.

During the pandemic, we learned the importance of speed in decision-making, which allowed us to adapt quickly and effectively to challenges.