Recognizing the benefits of founders having colleagues, we decided to invest in batches, which has become a core part of YC's approach. At Y Combinator, we treat founders like family and prioritize their interests, fostering a strong sense of community even among over 2,000 alumni.

The early days of Y Combinator were magical and pure; we focused on helping a small group of founders without distractions or negative scrutiny from the press.

In the early days of YC, I observed social cues during interviews, such as how well co-founders got along and their level of commitment.

The collective wisdom of YC has grown immensely since the early days, making it far more effective in helping startups now than back then.

YC helps shift the leverage back to founders, making it easier for them to connect with investors who treat them well, despite the fundraising process still being unpredictable.

YC's approach to funding is non-traditional; we prioritize building relationships with founders over just focusing on returns.

When we started Y Combinator, many thought we were crazy, but we focused on helping a few founders and expanded from there.

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.

The founder network at YC is invaluable, offering support and learning opportunities from peers at various stages of their startups.