YC interviews are fast-paced and straight to the point. There’s no time for small talk. So what really matters? Your answers and what you’ve built so far, of course!
What You Need to Do to Nail Your Y Combinator Interview
Skip the Rehearsals
A lot of founders think that doing tons of interview prep will give them an edge. But honestly? Over-preparing can actually backfire.
Beyond the basics, it’s better to avoid rehearsing. The YC team themselves say when founders overprepare, it can make things awkward. They might start answering a question before it’s even fully asked or try to squeeze in a rehearsed speech.
YC interviews are all about conversation, and those flow best when you’re just being yourself, talking spontaneously. Don’t stress if the interview doesn’t go how you expected—it rarely does.
Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
If you want to stand out, focus on what really counts: making progress. The best way to boost your chances?
Show that your startup has made strides since you applied. Whether you’ve launched, improved your product, or increased revenue, demonstrating that you can move fast and get things done is a surefire way to impress.
Know What Your Company Does
One of the first things YC interviewers will ask is, “So, what’s your company working on?”
It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many founders stumble here. Make sure you can explain what you do in a few clear, jargon-free sentences.
They're not looking for a generic pitch—they want to hear the interesting details, even if they’re a bit niche. If your idea teaches us something new, even better.
Be Ready to Talk Users and Metrics
If you’ve launched, YC going to dive into your users and your metrics. Know your stuff—where your users come from, what your growth looks like, how engaged your users are, and so on.
They’re impressed by founders who really understand their users and can share what they’ve learned.
It’s also smart to have your key metrics handy during the interview. You don’t need to have everything memorized, but having them written down can help keep things smooth.
Be Honest About Challenges
They’re going to ask about the obstacles you’re facing. They say they'd much rather hear a candid discussion about challenges than a polished dismissal of them. Every startup faces hurdles—it’s part of the journey.
If you act like there aren’t any, it might seem like you haven’t thought things through. Also, don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers.
If we ask something unexpected, just do your best. Sometimes, thinking through a tough question on the spot can lead to a really interesting conversation.
Know Your Market and Competition
You should be super familiar with the existing products in your space and be able to pinpoint what’s wrong with them. It’s not enough to just say you’re building something better—you need to explain how.
Show us that you understand the landscape and have a clear vision for where you fit in.
Have a Demo Ready
They might ask to see a demo of what you’re working on. By demo, they mean the real deal—a working version of your product.
If you’re working with software, have it ready to screenshare. If it’s hardware, have it with you or have a demo video queued up. They want to see what you’ve built in action.
Get All Founders Involved
If you’re part of a team, make sure everyone’s ready to pitch in during the interview. They like to hear from each founder so we can get to know all of you a bit better.
Be Genuine
The people interviewing you at YC could end up being the same ones you’ll work closely with if you get accepted.
The interview is your chance to figure out if they’re excited to take this journey with you. The more natural and sincere the conversation, the better. Just be yourself.
Other Important Tips for Your YC Interview
Be Confident and Show Your Passion
Remember, at least one of the YC partners saw something intriguing in your application, which is why you’re here.
If you’re in the interview, you’re probably in the top 10% of applicants (just a guess, but a good one!). So, walk in with confidence—not arrogance—but a solid belief in your startup and yourself as a founder.
While you don’t need to sell your startup, you definitely don’t want to come across as low-energy or unenthusiastic. Let your excitement and passion for solving this problem shine through.
Skip the Pitch
If you catch yourself sliding into pitch mode, hit pause. YC isn’t looking for a polished pitch—they’ll teach you how to do that later if you get in. What they’re after is more information about you and your company.
So, stick to the facts: share the data, both quantitative and qualitative, about your startup, your market, and your team.
Short and Sweet Goes a Long Way
Just like with your application, try to keep your answers short—think 1 to 3 sentences, focused on facts and data.
YC partners will often ask follow-up questions, so don’t be surprised or offended if they cut you off mid-sentence—they’re just making sure they get the information they need within the short time available.
It’s Okay to Say “I Don’t Know” and Be Honest
If you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t sweat it. Saying “I don’t know off the top of my head” is totally fine, even if it happens a few times. It might actually mean they’re curious and digging deeper into your business.
You can always offer to follow up with details later. A straightforward “I don’t know” is way better than trying to bluff your way through with a vague or fluffy answer.
And remember: always be honest. Making a false statement can get you disqualified, even if you’re accepted. YC will likely catch any inconsistencies later, so it’s just not worth the risk.
If you realize after the fact that you made an honest mistake, just email them with a correction as soon as possible—no big deal.
Don’t Stress Too Much If the Interview Feels Intense
A lot of people walk out of their YC interview thinking it went terribly, only to find out they got in! If the questions start getting harder or you find yourself stumped a few times, don’t panic.
It could just mean that the partners are intrigued and want to dig deeper. On the flip side, if the interview feels easy, that doesn’t necessarily mean it went poorly. There are no real indicators during the interview that can predict the outcome, so just focus on answering the questions as best as you can and try not to overthink it.
