Cracking Y Combinator in 2025

Y Combinator (YC) is no longer just a startup accelerator; it's a global ecosystem that can accelerate a founder's trajectory by a decade in just three months. As we move into 2025, the application process for the W25 and S25 batches has become more competitive than ever, especially with the surge of AI-native companies.

The AI Tilt: What YC is Looking For Now

In 2025, being an "AI startup" isn't enough. YC is looking for founders who understand the deep plumbing of LLMs and can build defensible layers on top of them.

Vertical AI focus

YC is increasingly betting on "Vertical AI"—startups that take a specific industry (like legal, healthcare, or construction) and rebuild the entire workflow from the ground up using agentic workflows.

Technical Depth vs. Wrapper

The era of the "GPT-wrapper" is over. To crack YC in 2025, you need to demonstrate technical depth. Whether it's custom fine-tuning, RAG architecture optimization, or proprietary datasets, your "how" matters as much as your "what."

The Perfect Application Strategy

The YC application is a test of clarity. If you can't explain your business to a smart person in three sentences, you aren't ready.

The 1-Minute Video

Keep it simple. No high-end production. Just the founders, a quiet room, and a clear explanation of what you're building and why you're the ones to build it. YC partners are looking for founder chemistry and communication skills.

Growth over Ideas

YC has always prioritized "Talk to Users" and "Build Product." In 2025, even for the earliest stages, having some form of validation—be it design partners, a waitlist with 5,000 signups, or early revenue—is becoming the norm.

The 10-Minute Interview

If you get the interview, remember: it's a conversation at light speed.

1. Don't script it. Answer the specific question asked.
2. Know your numbers. CAC, LTV, Burn, and growth rate are table stakes.
3. Be concisely ambitious. Show them the path to a $100B company without sounding delusional.

Conclusion

Cracking YC in 2025 is about showing that you are an "earnest, formidable founder" building in a space that matters. At Orkust Capital, we've helped dozens of founders navigate the YC application and interview process. The secret? It's not about the "hack"—it's about the depth of your execution.

Looking for more hands-on help with your YC application? Connect with the Orkust Team today.