How to Get Into Y Combinator in 2026: Real Advice From Accepted Founders

YC isn't looking for perfect companies, but founders who build what people want

By Chris Kernaghan 6 min read
How to Get Into Y Combinator in 2026: Real Advice From Accepted Founders
Photo by Startaê Team / Unsplash

Getting into Y Combinator feels like trying to crack a secret code. The acceptance rate hovers around 1-2%, making it more selective than Harvard.

But here's the thing: YC isn't looking for perfectly polished companies. They're looking for founders who can build something people actually want.

I've gathered insights from founders who made it through the process, and the patterns are pretty clear.

Let me break down what actually works.