131 startups in this batch
This cohort landed during a peak era of global expansion and the maturation of the SaaS model. While traditional software remained a staple, YC began a heavy lean into Deep Tech, funding a surge of biotech, hardware, and infrastructure companies that required longer R&D cycles than the previous decade's apps. It was the summer where the Silicon Valley playbook was aggressively exported to emerging markets, specifically Southeast Asia.
This batch proved that specialized data infrastructure was the primary bottleneck for the first wave of deep learning, as seen with early vector database concepts. They validated that emerging market fintech could achieve massive scale by digitizing traditional brokerage and mutual fund models for a new middle class. Furthermore, they demonstrated a high willingness to pay for surgical precision and gene therapy platforms, moving YC beyond simple consumer internet plays.
Startups in this era often struggled with operational bloat and the high cost of manual data labeling or human-in-the-loop creative processes. Many founders underestimated the distribution friction in highly regulated medical and financial sectors, assuming that superior tech would automatically clear the path. Today's builders should learn that infrastructure without an application layer is a dangerous place to be when capital markets tighten.
The "AI Creative Apprentice" was a vision ahead of its time in 2018, limited by the lack of generative power. A solo builder can now relaunch these creative automation tools using multimodal LLMs to handle actual production, not just ideation. By replacing the massive ops teams of S18 fintechs with agentic compliance and support, you can build a lean, high-margin version of these proven market winners.
Enabling next generation medicines. A comprehensive platform and…
Advancing surgical precision through safe electrical stimulation.
Developer-friendly and enterprise-grade APIs for financial market…
We deploy sensors and software that increase hospital efficiency.
Audio learning assistant offering interactive voice activities for classroom engagement, social-emotional learning, and lesson support using smart speakers like Alexa.
Automated receptionist that answers missed calls for local businesses
Next-gen ingredients to decarbonize consumer products, starting w/…
Fermentation-derived natural products to solve health problems
Our tests help eradicate cancer by telling doctors whether they got…
Research and analytics company focused on college students.
New therapeutics to rejuvenate tissue and treat age-related diseases
Platform that allows anyone to create and monetize video games.
Location-based Dynamic Digital Out-Of-Home advertising platform that converts car windows into digital screens for hyper-targeted ads.
Cryptocurrency infrastructure for Africa.
HeyDoctor provides online primary care (like refilling birth control,…
A tech-enabled commercial mortgage broker. hypcloud allows property…
Political/civic tech helping progressive campaigns organize & mobilize
We bring physical stores to the digital age with cashierless checkout.
Manage your ledgers and avail Financial Services like Lending on your…
AI-powered virtual assistant that automates HR, IT, and finance processes by answering employee queries and integrating with enterprise systems.
Personalized daily vitamin packs and dietary guidance powered by AI for Chinese consumers.
Making low cost versions of high cost generic drugs.
Medinas helps hospitals manage their inventory and buy and sell their…
Technology to create fast, visual indexes of people and organizations.
Distributed AI for Industrial Process Monitoring and Optimization.
GraphQL API to connect all of the internet's APIs. Join us at Netlify!
Democratizing gene therapy by reinventing its manufacturing and…
Our platform enables creators to build experiences, games, and worlds…
No-code platform to build custom multilingual AI agents and assistants for customer support, sales, and business automation.
We build artificial intelligence processors inspired by the brain.
Rebellyous Foods is a food manufacturing technology and production…
We extend telomeres to extend the human health span
AI-powered trend forecasting platform that predicts consumer trends across beauty, wellness, and food industries with 72% accuracy.
Synkrino's AI, SATIS is a powerful, unbiased discovery system for…
Instant, fresh ethnic food that actually taste homemade. We're…
Building a world where alternative proteins are no longer alternative.
From screen recordings to desktop automations using program synthesis
ZiffyHomes is managed corporate housing for white collar employees in…