Requests for Startups | Y Combinator

Y Combinator Requests for Startups (Summer 2025)

Overview

This page presents Y Combinator's traditional "Requests for Startups" (RFS) - areas where YC is particularly interested in funding new ventures for Summer 2025. The RFS serves as guidance but is not restrictive - founders don't need to work on these specific ideas to apply to YC.

Key Focus Areas

1. Full-stack AI Companies

• Lead: Jared Friedman
• Concept: Companies that use AI to compete directly with incumbents rather than just selling AI tools
• Example: Creating an AI-powered law firm instead of selling AI tools to existing firms
• Strategy: Targeting industries dominated by slow-moving incumbents

2. Design-Led Startups

• Lead: Aaron Epstein
• Focus: Encouraging more designers to become founders
• Rationale:
  • Design becoming more critical as coding tools improve
  • Designers possess key founder traits: user empathy, problem-solving skills
  • Success examples: Airbnb, Stripe (YC companies known for design excellence)

3. Voice AI

• Lead: Gustaf Alströmer
• Market Size: Over a trillion calls between businesses and customers
• Opportunity: Transforming century-old phone communication systems
• Technology: Leveraging new voice models and conversational LLMs

4. Scientific AI Applications