391 startups in this batch
YC S21 was the largest batch to date, defined by the peak of the zero-interest rate policy (ZIRP) era and a global rush toward digital transformation. Founders launched into a market with record-breaking VC funding, focusing heavily on remote-first B2B SaaS and the expansion of fintech into emerging economies like Pakistan.
This cohort proved that traditional, "messy" industries like fashion manufacturing and carbon credit procurement were finally ready for standardized digital platforms. They validated a high willingness to pay for workflow automation in customer success and demonstrated that localized financial wellness tools could achieve rapid adoption in untapped markets.
The primary struggle for S21 was the high-burn operational model that relied on cheap capital to bridge the gap between software and manual service. Many startups built "wrappers" that still required significant human intervention; builders today must ensure unit economics work without the safety net of 2021-era valuations.
The "co-pilot" tools of S21, which often just summarized data, are now ripe for replacement by autonomous AI agents. A solo founder can now rebuild complex technical specification enginesโlike those for manufacturingโusing LLMs to handle the reasoning and execution that previously required a massive engineering headcount.
Global platform for employee engagement with rewards&flexible benefits
AI Video Agent that generates TikToks, Reels, and ads from text prompts, handling script, visuals, voice, and editing.
Feel close, even when apart. One meaningful conversation at a time.
AI-powered platform that generates factory-ready tech packs for fashion designs from uploaded images in minutes.
The medical record & infrastructure stack for digital health companies
We help automotive aftermarket brands to supply and sell parts online
Building Job driven Virtual Tech University for India ๐ฎ๐ณ
We automate pricing for eCommerce and on-demand service companies
Marketplace to buy managed vacation homes through fractional ownership
Answer user and dev questions with documentation (using Generative AI)
The complete production quality platform. AI-powered E2E testing,โฆ
Apps to control technology addictions/ helping startups hire engineers
Connect LinkedIn to your CRM to automate and track LinkedIn outreach.
A video subscription platform serving black viewers and creators.
Accent training app combining video lessons from Hollywood accent coaches with AI-powered pronunciation feedback for non-native English speakers.
The platform for buying, selling and managing residential construction
No-code scoring engine identifying your most engaged upsell opps
Automatic voice-of-customer trends & metrics from sales conversations.
Increasing restaurant profitability through our AI Operating System
Bytebot is the open source container for AI desktop agents.
Online convenience stores fulfilled by tiny, automated dark stores.
Learning platform for job seekers with job applications automation
B2B e-commerce and fintech platform for traditional proximity stores
Eliminate Cloud Waste. Attribute and Track Savings. Engage Engineers.
No-code e-commerce platform enabling local businesses to set up online stores, manage orders, and handle payments without technical expertise.
AI-powered platform for qualitative research analysis, summarizing, and generating insights from interviews, surveys, and feedback.
Automating procurement and finance for construction companies
We help Accountants automate work and serve their customers online
Security Delivery Platform to orchestrate AI agents for Serviceโฆ
AI assistant and chat add-ons that automate stand-ups, check-ins, workflows, and surveys in Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and Discord.
Making it easy for employees to donate and volunteer with good causes.
We make software for bookkeepers.
We engineer proteins that control the operating system of biology.
AI-Powered ERP, MES, and Test Software for Complex Operations
Female Invest is a social e-learning app for finance and investing
Sales AI that helps revenue teams move faster and close more deals.
On-demand wage access service built for the African market
Our mobile app reduces chronic pain for 100 million Americans.
AI-powered Gmail assistant that filters low-priority emails and delivers daily summaries with newsletter TLDRs.
Community for 100M Indian Financial Market Traders & Investors
We are the marketplace for trading gaming skins & assets without scams
Multi-targeted therapeutics to treat complex diseases
We visually monitor space objects for governments and defense
Low-cost, high-scale EV charging platform for apartments (and more).
AI-powered equity research software
A platform to make artificial viruses as cancer therapeutics.
Meeting agendas, notes, & goals that tie back to your OKRs
Personalized AI Voice Agents for lead qualification for insurance &โฆ
A modern-day mental healthcare company for global workforces.
No-code platform to build custom internal tools, apps, workflows, forms, dashboards, and automations.
A national network of microschools bringing school choice to everyโฆ
Patent-pending enzymes to break down common dietary triggers
Cohort-based digital training platform delivering business skills courses to Latin American enterprises and professionals.
App for B2B companies to find customer stories and advocates
AI-native psychiatry, built for scale and covered by insurance
First personalized migraine clinic using genetics and telehealth.
No-code email marketing platform to send forms & widgets within emails
Helps affluent Indians invest in automated options trading strategies
Groceries fresher than a farmerโs market, delivered to you (EU)
AI-Powered Assistant for Procurement and Strategic Sourcing
Serverless background task queues and cron jobs for scheduling one-off and recurring tasks via API.
Automated e2e screenshot testing without writing or maintaining tests
Technologies for scaling up cultured/clean meat production
Mobile app for CPG brands to connect to millions of stores globally
Workflow engine that builds reliable AI systems by turning one-off prompts into structured, reusable workflows with enforced context, typed outputs, and safe re-runs.
We help nurses in nursing homes to be 30% more effective
Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for major airlines
AI-Driven Tech & Space Optimization to Scale Restaurants
One-stop-shop for restaurants to operate and grow their business.
Create, launch, and optimize Facebook ads and ads on 10+ platforms
We are the frictionless way for companies to make payments.
A therapeutics platform for curing inflammatory disorders
AI-powered platform enabling no-code creation of games, stories, characters, and interactive AI towns.
Tiktok for fashion - where designers show their work + build traction
AI-native on-call and incident response carefully crafted to helpโฆ
Async personalized and actionable health education by real doctors
Mobile first solution for Payroll, employee & expense management
Reliable blockchain indexing & querying for web3 engineering teams.
Analytics for builders. Record and query billions of datapoints withโฆ
Unlocking the next generation of mRNA medicines
GPT-based AI assistants trained on user content for 24/7 audience engagement.
Sequin is building AI Voice Agents to automate collections calls forโฆ
Regulating the immune system to block cancer & autoimmune diseases
Compound B2B SaaS for modern infrastructure to deploy and manage sites
Business banking that understands your industry's unique challenges
1-click checkout from every store on the internet + cashback rewards.
AI-powered app that tracks calories and nutrition by snapping a photo of meals.
AI-powered voice-led English learning platform for children aged 5 to 15 featuring an interactive AI fox companion.
Latin Americas' first investing social network. Learn. Share. Invest.
An agentic code review and quality platform that writes pull request descriptions, reviews code, and learns team coding practices.
Interactive product demo platform enabling marketing and sales teams to create, personalize, and share product demos without coding.
Flexible On-Demand Storage Space for Household, SMEs & Travellers.
24/7 video platform & online community for students to study together
Orbital logistics: Unleashing space industry, from Earth to asteroids
Moving Things Around in Space, Imaging Space Objects When We're Not
Transforming the lives of millions of women suffering from chronicโฆ
Nonprofit telehealth coaches for underserved Americans on Medicaid
Kanban tool for orchestrating and reviewing AI coding agents in parallel workflows.
Accelerate software development with WarpBuild's 10x faster CI infra.
Building Shein of Home: tech-driven, design-mfr Home Lifestyle Brand
Manage your website from your favorite tools like Airtable and Notion
AI visibility and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) platform to track and improve brand representation in AI-generated search and answers.
Diversifying precision cancer diagnostics and treatments
Help start- and scale-ups excel at People, Culture and Performance.
We help businesses convert leads into sales in minutes using text