Apply to Yikes Combinator

W27 batch · January to March 2027 · San Francisco, with an offshore option. The application takes about an hour. Nothing you type here is sent or stored anywhere, a courtesy we extend to no one in the portfolio.

Company name

If you have more than one entity, list the one with no assets.

Describe what your company does in 50 characters or less.

Do not use the word "harm." You'll be tempted.

What moral hazard are you creating?

Be specific. "Misaligned incentives" is a category, not a business.

Who bears the downside?

The single most important question on this application. There is one wrong answer.

Do they know?

If yes: how did they find out, and what have you changed so it doesn't happen again?

Which regulator would be most interested in your company, and how far away are they (in nautical miles)?

How long have the founders known each other, and can either of you be compelled to testify against the other?

See co-defendant matching, below.

Please tell us about the time you most successfully hacked some non-computer system to your advantage.

Reminder that this application is a document.

Why did you pick this idea to work on? Do you have domain expertise in this area, or a prior conviction?

We mean conviction in the sense of belief. Answer as you see fit.

I have read the terms. (There are no terms. We wanted to see if you'd check it.)

Frequently asked questions

What does YC look for in founders?

Determination, speed, and a certain spaciousness of conscience. We've funded founders with no experience, no revenue, and no product. We have never funded a founder who asked "but should we?" more than once.

Can I apply as a solo founder?

Yes, but think hard about it. A solo founder has no one to share the work with and, later, no one to blame. Co-defendant matching exists for a reason.

How does co-defendant matching work?

You fill in a profile: skills, interests, time zone, prior depositions. We match you with someone complementary. The best pairings are one founder who does things and one who doesn't write them down.

Is my idea too harmful for YC?

Almost certainly not, but thank you for asking; it shows self-awareness, which we can work on. The more common problem is ideas that aren't hazards at all: the founder bears the downside personally. That's called a business, and there are other accelerators for it.

My company is already under investigation. Should I still apply?

Yes. About a third of each batch is. It's the closest thing we have to traction.

Is this application confidential?

We treat all applications as confidential, up to but not including a subpoena.