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Program guide

The Y Combinator guide: how to apply, what you get and the Winter 2027 deadline

Last verified: 2 October 2026

Y Combinator is the startup accelerator and early-stage investor based in San Francisco, running batches since 2005. This guide summarizes who can apply, what YC invests, the program's calendar and the Winter 2027 batch's application deadline, based only on Y Combinator's own pages.

Who can apply

YC's application is open to any startup, anywhere in the world.

You do not need traction to apply: on average 40% of the companies YC funds in each batch are just an idea at acceptance, and most are pre-revenue, though YC also funds companies that are much further along, including some already making well over $1M a year.

If the upcoming batch does not fit your timeline, for example you are still a student, you can apply for Early Decision for the batch that starts after you graduate.

What you get

YC invests $500,000 in each company: $125,000 for 7% equity on a post-money SAFE, plus a separate $375,000 on an uncapped SAFE with a Most Favored Nation (MFN) clause.

The batch is a three-month, in-person program in San Francisco; it starts with a 3-day retreat and includes weekly meetups. Every part of the program is optional, and the typical time commitment is a few hours a week.

You can use the investment for anything that helps your business; most founders first use it to pay themselves a salary so they can work on the company full-time.

Calendar

YC now runs four batches a year: winter, spring, summer and fall.

The Winter 2027 batch's application deadline is 2 November 2026. The batch itself starts in January 2027, and YC gives a final decision by 11 December 2026.

If you are actively fundraising and the next batch is still far away, YC's own advice is to apply now and say so on the application; if you are accepted, the investment process starts immediately rather than waiting for the batch.

What the application asks

The application is submitted online at Y Combinator's own apply page. YC does not publish the exact questions on the pages this guide cites, but it does publish the batch's name, the application deadline and the dates by which you hear the outcome.

YC says the goal of the program is to help a startup be in dramatically better shape three months later: usually a better product with more users, and more options for raising money.

How getfund helps

getfund tracks when the current YC batch's deadline is approaching and flags it among your matched programs.

Radar alerts you the moment YC opens applications for the next batch, or moves a published deadline.

getfund helps you draft your application answers from your startup profile; the browser extension fills forms like YC's with your approval, but it never submits on your behalf. You always make the final call and press submit yourself.

Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline for Y Combinator's Winter 2027 batch?
2 November 2026, per Y Combinator's own apply page. YC gives a final decision by 11 December 2026, and the batch starts in January 2027.
How much does YC invest and for how much equity?
$500,000 per company: $125,000 for 7% equity on a post-money SAFE, plus a separate $375,000 on an uncapped SAFE with a Most Favored Nation clause.
Do I need traction or revenue to apply?
No. On average 40% of the companies YC funds in each batch are just an idea at acceptance, and most are pre-revenue, though YC also funds companies that are much further along.
Does YC require me to move to San Francisco?
Yes, for the standard batch: it runs in person in San Francisco with a 3-day retreat and weekly meetups. After the three months you can go wherever you want.
Can I apply if the next batch does not fit my timeline?
Yes, through Early Decision, which most founders use when they are still a student and want to apply for the batch that starts after they graduate.

Official sources