208 startups in this batch
YC S20 was the first-ever fully virtual batch, defined by the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and a global rush toward digital-first infrastructure. Founders were building for a world where remote work, cross-border fintech, and automated supply chains were no longer optional but essential survival requirements. This cohort captured the moment when traditional industries were forced to adopt software at a decade's pace in a single summer.
This batch proved a massive enterprise willingness to pay for workflow consolidation and specialized ML infrastructure as companies scrambled to modernize legacy operations. It validated that high-trust financial services, such as remittances and credit building, could be successfully distributed via purely digital channels to underserved demographics. The cohort effectively mapped the transition from "software is eating the world" to "software is the only way the world functions."
Many startups from this era struggled when pandemic-induced tailwinds normalized, revealing that pure-play utility tools without deep defensive moats were easily absorbed by incumbents. Builders should learn that solving operational friction is only half the battle; without a proprietary data loop or high switching costs, many S20 tools became features rather than standalone platforms. The lesson is to avoid building "thin wrappers" around a single workflow that lacks a long-term retention hook.
The 2026 opportunity lies in transforming S20's "human-in-the-loop" workflows into autonomous agentic systems. While S20 focused on helping teams manage data or tasks, a solo builder today can use LLMs to execute the entire vertical—such as an autonomous fashion design-to-production pipeline or a self-optimizing credit-building engine. The wedge today is moving from SaaS (Software as a Service) to Service-as-Software, where the AI performs the labor itself.
AI.Fashion is the AI creative suite for the fashion industry.
We help ML teams improve their models by improving their datasets
API that lets companies embed investment accounts into their services
Bandit ML builds machine learning tools for e-commerce companies.
AI-native business intelligence platform for creating dashboards, charts, and reports using natural language without SQL.
Agentic AI CRM for ecommerce, enabling users to spin off commerce agents or build automations across acquisition, retention, and support.
We help companies automate the accounting of their carbon emissions
On-Demand, Fully-Remote Marketing and Sales Video Production Platform
AI-powered user assistance platform offering in-app help, natural language search, personalized nudges, product tours, and interactive guidance to improve user engagement and retention.
AI-powered internal tools platform that enables frontline teams to search, analyze, and automate operations across all business systems.
AI-powered merchandising platform that enables fashion e-commerce brands to create and manage custom product collections with drag-and-drop simplicity.
Fig adds visual apps, shortcuts, and autocomplete to your terminal.
We make unmakeable proteins with radical advanced biomanufacturing.
Gilgamesh Pharmaceuticals, a Clinical stage biotechnology company…
Glimpse offers AI services for retail brands starting with deductions
We automate document-heavy workflows in financial services and beyond
Manage, create & optimize your ecommerce product content using AI
AI to engage employees, predict attrition and automate HR/IT support
Jam.gg, play couch games online with friends
No-code website and store builder for creators and entrepreneurs to build websites, bio links, and e-commerce stores without coding.
Kernal is creating mRNA 2.0 therapies that work in specific cells
Combining 3D cell culture & AI to translate drugs to clinical success
Luminai helps automate repetitive manual work away from your mission…
Salesforce for health data
Build a custom SaaS or membership site with Webflow or Wordpress
We help SaaS companies deploy into their customer's environment.
We run background checks on businesses using data from public records…
Machine learning-based software that creates websites, marketing emails, social media posts, and more for startups without needing a graphic designer.
AI-powered photo editing app for removing backgrounds, generating visuals, and creating professional product images for e-commerce and marketing.
Elevating mental health to be a part of your daily coffee ritual.
Collaborative platform for optimizing regulated utilities such as…
We are a monitoring and analytics plugin for all video chat platforms.
Wearable and At-Home protein monitoring with silicon photonic chips
Building world's largest men fashion brand powered by technology
Accelerate development by simulating production conditions with real…
Training the next generation of software engineers in Europe 🇪🇺
Open source alternative to Auth0 / AWS Cognito / Firebase Auth
An effective home-use fertility treatment for natural conception
AI-driven platform for creating promotional videos and product images 10x faster.
Affordable care via ICHRA and primary care with visits, meds, labs…
Predictive battery management software for electrified fleets