122 startups in this batch
In early 2016, the startup world shifted from consumer "Uber-for-X" clones toward solving deep operational inefficiencies in legacy industries. This cohort launched during a period of maturing cloud infrastructure, where YC prioritized founders tackling highly regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, and real estate. It was the era when software began to eat the back-office of the old economy.
This batch proved that institutional markets—from Medicare billing to real estate investment—were finally ready for cloud-native workflows. They validated a massive willingness to pay for automated compliance and algorithmic decision-making in sectors previously trapped in spreadsheets. Startups like Able Health and AlphaFlow demonstrated that the real value lay in unifying fragmented data to unlock new financial and clinical outcomes.
Many companies in this cohort struggled with the integration tax: the massive human effort required to clean and map unstructured data from legacy systems. The "human-in-the-loop" costs of managing complex workflows in home health or insurance often outpaced revenue growth. Today's builders should learn that manual data entry is a scaling killer that can now be bypassed entirely.
The massive wedge for 2026 is building AI-native vertical agents that replace the manual middleware of W16. Where these founders needed 50 engineers to build data connectors, a solo builder can now use LLMs to automate HEDIS measure extraction or algorithmic strategy synthesis in plain English. The opportunity lies in rebuilding these proven business models with a zero-headcount operations philosophy.
Able Health gets doctors paid more for higher quality care
Algoriz is an AI based algorithmic trading platform that enables you…
Detect Gunshots | Inform Law Enforcement | Empower First Responders
Modernizing home health care agencies with software, hardware, and…
Apollo is the foundation of your entire go-to-market strategy.
using ultrasonics + ml to analyze fluid behavior at infrastructure…
No-code platform for building AI-powered chatbots on Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp, and websites to automate customer interactions.
Chillabit is the best way to procrastinate! It’s a live feed of funny…
The simplest way to test, manage, and deploy VR/AR apps at scale.
Building foundational AI for speech transcription and understanding.
We give Black software engineers support they need to advance in tech.
Home boxing gym with motion trackers that compute punches and reps.
Dynamic transactional communications for physical stores to help…
Building the Operating System for B&M Retail using Deep Learning
Customizable beauty for hair, skin, and body care products.
We cure intractable leg wounds with a replacement valve for veins.
AI-powered platform for Accessible and Personalized Breast Health…
Therapy the way it should be: high quality in-person therapy sessions…
Tech enabled and fully integrated PAN India agri produce supply chain
Agentic Observability Platform for Mobile
Lygos engineers yeast to convert sugar into high-value industrial…
Lynks is an e-commerce company that makes high demand products…
Magic Instruments makes a high-tech guitar that is easier and more…
digital commerce for the world’s largest auto retailers and brands.
Monthli is the first marketplace for homeowner associations. We…
Nova puts the power of AI to work for you, enabling a more continuous…
Medicine or testing kit, prescribed online and delivered to your door.
Open Motors (formerly OSVehicle) is a B2B company that is developing…
Security patch notifications for servers. Build it, deploy it, and…
Pathmind helps industrial engineers and simulation modelers achieve…
An enterprise health benefits platform that rewards employees for…
PocketSuite is a mobile-first business management app that enables service professionals to handle bookings, payments, messaging, and client management.
Protonet provides the easiest way for a small business to run its own…
Quilt manages data like code so that companies can experiment faster
Protects organizations from getting breached through their APIs.
Start Closing is changing the way homeowners and contractors interact…
Information Security (Cyber Security), Compliance and Privacy (GDPR &…
Streamup is a live streaming community for music. We make it fun and…
Originally a recruiting tool to boost employee referrals; website now offers resume services and career coaching for job seekers.
Thunkable is the most powerful no-code platform for building native mobile apps for iOS and Android.
UpLabs is the #1 marketplace for designers & developers to find…
Devices to improve the quality of life for people with Spinal Cord…
A social app for phone calls. Express yourself and make real friends.
Funding platform for global insurance, starting with crop insurance…
Building powerful data analysis software for developing countries.