During Y Combinator, we focused on building strong relationships with our first 100 customers, doing things that don't scale to ensure they loved our service.

To gain the trust of early customers, we initially targeted fellow companies in Y Combinator who were also new and had never paid themselves, which was a strategic move to build our initial customer base.

Getting into Y Combinator was a turning point for us, as it validated our idea and pushed us to fully commit to the startup.

I leveraged personal connections to get introductions to investors, which was crucial in raising my first million before Y Combinator.

Investors in Y Combinator companies are top-tier VCs, frequently investing in these startups and often making multiple investments.

Stripe never formally went through Y Combinator, but YC invested in us, which helped us connect with a community of entrepreneurs.

We were initially hesitant to apply to Y Combinator, but an advisor encouraged us to go for it, leading to an unexpected interview and acceptance.

Many founders find their first customers within their network, and I was fortunate to work with amazing people across various industries who supported our venture.

The first time we went through Y Combinator (YC), we wouldn't have made it without their support, and I felt the same way the second time.