Everything from

Y Combinator

3 resources from Y Combinator we point founders to, and the questions each answers.

🛠️ Tool
Free Intermediate

YC Safe Financing Documents (Official Post-Money SAFE)

From Y Combinator by Y Combinator templates + primer

Why we picked it

The primary source for the SAFE itself, plus YC's plain-English primer explaining post-money mechanics. Use the official document, not a random copy, and read the primer before you sign.

  • Post-money SAFE lets you calculate investor ownership precisely and immediately
  • Five standard variants (cap, discount, MFN, etc.) plus an optional pro-rata side letter
  • It's a starting point usable in most situations without modification
Open ycombinator.com →
Answers What is a SAFE and how does it actually work? What's the difference between a valuation cap and a discount on a SAFE? How is my startup's valuation actually decided at the early stage? What do the key terms in a term sheet actually mean? How do SAFEs and term sheets differ in India versus the US? How much dilution should I expect across seed and Series A?
🎓 Course
Free Beginner

Startup School, Free Startup Course

From Y Combinator by Y Combinator ~7-week self-paced course

Why we picked it

The best free on-ramp for founders who feel 'too early' for a funded accelerator, it distils YC's thinking into a structured course and, critically, includes the largest co-founder matching platform anywhere. It builds the proof and the team you'll need before you ever apply for equity money.

  • A free ~7-week course (1-2 hours/week) with video lessons from YC partners on MVPs, funding, growth and launching.
  • Access to the world's largest co-founder matching platform, with 100,000+ matches made.
  • Includes a weekly update tool to track your growth and hold yourself accountable.
  • Built for anyone at the earliest stages, turning a side project into a company, or exploring whether to found at all.
Open startupschool.org →
Answers Should I join an incubator or an accelerator, and which one? How do I get into YC or a top accelerator, what do they actually look for? Is the equity an accelerator takes worth it? I'm still at the idea stage with no team, am I too early for any of this? Should I take a job first or start a startup right now? When should I quit, before or after I have traction? Can I build on the side while employed without getting into legal trouble? I have deep expertise but no startup skills, what do I learn first? How do I know if my idea is actually worth quitting my job for?
📄 Article
Free Intermediate

Apply to Y Combinator

From Y Combinator by Y Combinator Application page + FAQ

Why we picked it

This is the canonical, primary source for how the world's most influential accelerator actually works, deadlines, batch structure, the interview, and what acceptance gets you. If you're seriously considering a top accelerator, read the mechanics straight from the source rather than a second-hand summary.

  • YC invests immediately on acceptance and runs an in-person batch in San Francisco with dedicated General Partners and small company groups.
  • The process runs application, then a short video interview, often with a same-day decision.
  • Acceptance unlocks the alumni community and investor introductions for fundraising, the network is the real product.
  • Apply on time; early applicants get earlier decisions, and even late applications are considered.
Open ycombinator.com →
Answers Should I join an incubator or an accelerator, and which one? How do I get into YC or a top accelerator, what do they actually look for?