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Founder matching · Tips guide

Y Combinator Co-Founder Matching Tips

Start the approval step first, since it can take up to a week. Then spend the 15 weekly invitations on profiles that fit your filters, plan 2 to 4 weeks of close work before you decide, and put roles and equity in writing early. [1] [2]

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Common mistakes and what to do instead

Sending invitations before approval

What to do instead
Sign up through Startup School and start approval early
Why it matters
Approval can take up to a week, and the profile must be approved before use [1]

Inviting everyone who fits

What to do instead
Rank your list and invite the strongest people first
Why it matters
The cap is 15 a week, so 60 at most in four weeks [1]

Leaving terms unwritten

What to do instead
Agree roles, equity and exit terms in writing early
Why it matters
There is no formal legal definition of a co-founder [6]
MistakeWhat to do insteadWhy it matters
Sending invitations before approvalSign up through Startup School and start approval earlyApproval can take up to a week, and the profile must be approved before use[1]
Inviting everyone who fitsRank your list and invite the strongest people firstThe cap is 15 a week, so 60 at most in four weeks[1]
Treating a match as a hirePlan 2 to 4 weeks of close work before you decideYC recommends this period to judge fit[1]
Expecting YC admission to followJudge the service on the match it producesMatching does not improve admission to YC[1]
Leaving terms unwrittenAgree roles, equity and exit terms in writing earlyThere is no formal legal definition of a co-founder[6]
Sharing sensitive details too earlyKeep contact details and identity documents out of the first messagesApproved members can see your profile; YC-funded companies may receive some data[2] [4]

The mistakes that waste a week or a co-founder

Most mistakes here cost time, because the service is free. The table lists the common ones and what to do instead. [1]

For founders: what to do first

Start approval first. It can take up to a week, and you can’t use the service until it’s done. Sign up through Startup School before you plan the rest of your outreach. [1] [2]

Fill in every sample field. Profiles show a headshot, name, school, employer and a short bio, and YC doesn’t list which fields are required. A complete profile gives people more to judge you on. [2]

Use the filters, then read each profile. The filters narrow the list, but YC doesn’t explain how it ranks profiles. Check each one before you spend an invitation on it. [2]

Spend the 15 invitations on a short list. The cap is there to prevent spam, and it adds up to 60 in four weeks. Invite the people you would actually work with, not everyone who fits. [1]

Book the close-work period up front. YC recommends 2 to 4 weeks of close work to judge fit, and its blog says compatibility can take several months to know for sure. Agree on a review date before you start. [1] [3]

Put terms in writing early. A co-founder has no formal legal definition, so a dispute can start with no paper. Founder stock usually vests over 3 to 5 years with a 6- or 12-month cliff. YC’s documents page lists SAFEs and side letters, but no co-founder agreement. [6] [7] [5]

Know how to delete your data. Deletion is a written request to the privacy address in YC’s policy, and the policy gives no turnaround time. Ask YC now whether you can remove one profile field without closing your account. [4]

Bibliography

Sources

  1. Startup School FAQ (co-founder matching) (official)
  2. YC Co-Founder Matching homepage (official)
  3. YC blog: 10 Questions to Discuss with a Potential Co-founder (April 27, 2023) (official)
  4. Y Combinator privacy policy and Terms of Use (official)
  5. YC Documents page (official)
  6. Wikipedia: Co-founder (independent)
  7. Wikipedia: Vesting (independent)