Y Combinator, the world’s top accelerator, is now accepting applications for its Spring 2025 Batch. The application deadline is February 11, 2025. YC is looking for innovative startups, especially in AI, tech infrastructure, and automation.
In addition, YC has released its newest Request for Startups (RFS). After just three months since the last update, YC has made another call, showcasing how quickly the tech landscape is evolving. With AI systems now capable of using computers, and models like OpenAI’s O1/O3 and DeepSeek R1 opening up possibilities for low-level optimizations and AI infrastructure, YC is focusing on startups that apply these advancements in impactful ways.
Here’s what YC is looking for this cycle:
- Datacenters
Startups focused on creating cost-effective, fast-deploying data centers to support AI’s growing infrastructure needs. Innovations in power management, cooling, and material procurement are key. - Compliance and Audit
Startups that automate compliance and audit tasks using AI, such as parsing legal documents or flagging regulatory issues, to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency. - DocuSign 2.0
AI-driven solutions to improve document signing processes. This includes template creation, auto-filling documents, and automating the document workflow to simplify the experience. - Browser & Computer Automation
Startups creating tools that enable AI agents to automate browser and desktop workflows, enabling smarter automation of online and offline tasks. - AI Personal Staff for Everyone
Companies developing AI systems that automate tasks traditionally handled by human staff (such as tax accounting or personal care services) making these services more widely accessible. - Devtools for AI Agents
Building tools to manage and deploy AI agents, improving the reliability, testing, and integration of AI systems across industries, making AI adoption easier. - The Future of Software Engineering
Startups building tools that allow AI agents to handle tasks traditionally done by humans in software engineering, such as QA, deployment, and compliance audits – helping engineers scale operations efficiently. - AI Commercial Open Source Software (AICOSS)
Startups offering commercial support for businesses utilizing open-source AI, providing tools, infrastructure, and services to help companies scale their use of open-source AI solutions. - AI Coding Agents for Hardware-Optimized Code
Developing AI tools that generate hardware-optimized code, improving the performance and efficiency of AI applications, particularly in GPU and custom silicon systems. - B2A: Software Where the Customers Will All Be Agents
Software designed specifically for AI agents as customers, such as APIs and platforms that help AI agents perform transactions or engage in contracts. - Vertical AI Agents
Specialized AI agents that fully automate tasks in specific industries (such as medical billing, compliance, or tax accounting) replacing human roles entirely rather than assisting humans. - Startup Founders with Systems Programming Expertise
Founders with expertise in systems programming to develop startups that optimize hardware and software performance, particularly for AI applications and scaling infrastructure. - Inference AI Infrastructure in the World of Test-Time Compute
Startups building AI infrastructure that optimizes inference time, reducing the costs and improving the efficiency of AI processing during real-time use.
Keep in mind that YC is open to a wide range of startups, not just those working on these areas. These are just some of the things YC finds particularly exciting right now.
YC Spring 2025 Batch
Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Spring 2025 Batch, which will run from April to June in San Francisco. The application deadline is February 11, 2025 at 8pm PT. Applicants will receive decisions by March 12, 2025. Late applications will still be considered but with uncertain response times.
- Submit your application online before the deadline.
- If selected, you will be invited for an interview in February or March, with decisions typically made the same day.
- YC invests in startups immediately upon acceptance.
About the batch:
- The batch starts with a 3-day in-person kick-off at YC’s campus in San Francisco, followed by weekly meetups.
- Each startup works with a dedicated YC General Partner for ongoing support.
- Founders join a small group of startups, fostering personal and professional connections.
- YC helps startups fundraise through their network of investors and continues to provide support beyond the batch.
To apply, visit https://www.ycombinator.com/apply