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The full course · 5 modules

Everything inside the free course

5

modules

23

videos

~112

minutes

The path

Five modules, from “should I apply?” to the interview.

Open any module to see its videos. Everything is free.

1

What accelerators actually do, who should apply, and how referrals and references work before you write a word.

01Welcome
02Startup Accelerators 101
03Who should apply
04References and referrals
Free companion guide: How to get into YC
2

The major programs compared, how the SAFE works, and a close look at Y Combinator itself.

01Introduction1m
02Introduction to SAFEs3m
03Y Combinator5m
Free companion guide: YC vs Techstars vs Neo
3

Every application question, one video at a time: what it tests, the common mistakes, and how to write an answer that holds up.

01Introduction1m
02Founding Team9m
03Hacking Systems3m
04Most Impressive Accomplishment2m
05The One Liner4m
06Company Description3m
07Startup Progress3m
08Startup Traction3m
09Product Founder Fit4m
10Competitors and your unique insight4m
11Monetization and Vision5m
12Go-to-Market Strategy2m
13Other Startup Ideas1m
Free companion guide: Application guide
4

The two videos YC asks for, the founder intro and the product demo, and how to shoot each one so it strengthens your application.

01Application video14m
02Demo video17m
Free companion guide: Application guide

How the interview really runs, what partners push on, and how to answer with the specificity they reward.

01The Interview14m
Free companion guide: Interview questions

How the modules build on each other

The curriculum follows the same order as an application cycle. Module 1 covers whether and when to apply, since that decision shapes every answer that follows. Module 2 explains the major accelerator programs and how the SAFE works, so you understand the deal before you pursue it. Module 3 walks through the written application question by question across thirteen videos. It is the longest module, because the written answers do most of the work. Module 4 covers the founder video and product demo, and Module 5 prepares you for the interview.

The modules are meant to be watched in order. The application videos build on the deal mechanics from Module 2, and the interview lesson assumes your written answers already exist, since partners largely ask about what you wrote. Front to back, the 23 videos take about 112 minutes.

What makes this syllabus different

Three parts of the course are hard to find anywhere else. Real applications from admitted companies, shown and annotated, let you compare your draft against answers that worked. A guest interview with the CEO of Y Combinator covers how applications are read from the selection side. And the instructors applied and were accepted themselves (Pair AI, W23), so the teaching draws on a real admitted application rather than secondhand advice.

A free Application Grader supports the modules, giving line-level feedback on draft answers. Most useful during Module 3. The deadlines guide tracks the next batch cut-off. Every lesson is free, with lifetime access.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

01How many videos are in the course?

23 videos across 5 modules, about 112 minutes total, covering who should apply, the written application question by question, the founder video and demo, and the interview.

02Is the whole curriculum free?

Yes. Every module and video is free with lifetime access, no credit card required.

03What order should I watch the modules in?

Front to back. The modules build on each other, starting with who should apply, then the written application, then the video and interview, so watching in order gives you the full arc of a strong application.

04Does the course use real examples?

Yes. It includes breakdowns of real written applications from companies admitted into Y Combinator, plus a guest interview with the CEO of Y Combinator.

The free course

Start Module 1 today

Start with Module 1 · “Welcome”