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Y Combinator vs a16z speedrun
What Y Combinator and a16z speedrun each invest, the equity they take, who they suit and when applications close, from each programme's own pages.
Y Combinator vs a16z speedrun
Y Combinator
- Funding
- US$500,000 US$500k as two SAFEs signed together: $125k on a post-money SAFE for 7% and $375k on an uncapped MFN SAFE
- Instrument
- SAFE
- Equity taken
- 7% 7% from the $125k post-money SAFE; the $375k uncapped MFN SAFE converts on the most favourable terms of SAFEs issued from around the start of the batch until the priced round
- Programme fee
- No fee YC says it charges companies no fees to take part
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- 4 a year
- Delivery
- In person
- Stages
- Idea, pre-seed, seed
- Sectors
- Sector-agnostic
- Open to founders from
- Anywhere
- Perks
-
- Help with visas and incorporation for founders from outside the US
- Access to Bookface, YC's founder platform, and alumni events
The batch lasts three months and opens with a three-day in-person retreat. YC also takes a pro rata right to invest in later rounds.
a16z speedrun
- Funding
- US$500,000 US$500k for 10% upfront on a SAFE, plus up to US$500k more in the next qualifying round (US$2M or more) within 18 months
- Instrument
- SAFE
- Equity taken
- 10%
- Programme fee
- not published
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- 2 a year
- Delivery
- In person
- Stages
- Idea, pre-seed
- Sectors
- Sector-agnostic
- Open to founders from
- not published
- Perks
-
- More than US$10M in partner credits from 200+ partners
- Introductions through the a16z talent network
Recent residencies had 70 to 80 companies. a16z asks for pro rata rights; the standard deal has no board seat. Applying is free.
Where they differ
| Term | Y Combinator | a16z speedrun |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | US$500,000 | US$500,000 |
| Equity taken | 7% | 10% |
| Instrument | SAFE | SAFE |
| Programme fee | No fee | not published |
| Duration | not published | 12 weeks |
| Cohorts | 4 a year | 2 a year |
| Delivery | In person | In person |
| Stages | Idea, pre-seed, seed | Idea, pre-seed |
| Sectors | Sector-agnostic | Sector-agnostic |
| Based in | San Francisco, United States | San Francisco, United States |
| Next deadline | 2 November 2026 | 1 November 2026 |
Which fits whom
Y Combinator fits founders
- At the idea, pre-seed or seed stage
- Who can be in San Francisco for the programme
- In any sector
- Willing to give up 7% equity; the standard offer is US$500,000
a16z speedrun fits founders
- At the idea or pre-seed stage
- Who can be in San Francisco for the programme
- In any sector
- Willing to give up 10% equity; the standard offer is US$500,000
Application dates
Y Combinator
Winter 2027: applications close 2 November 2026.
a16z speedrun
SR008: applications opened 12 October 2026 and close 1 November 2026; the programme starts 1 February 2027 and demo day is 13 April 2027.
Y Combinator vs a16z speedrun: questions founders ask
Which invests more, Y Combinator or a16z speedrun?
Y Combinator publishes the larger standard offer: Y Combinator US$500,000, a16z speedrun US$500,000.
Which takes less equity, Y Combinator or a16z speedrun?
Y Combinator publishes the smaller stake: Y Combinator 7%, a16z speedrun 10%. Each listing's equity note says what else converts later.
Which closes first, Y Combinator or a16z speedrun?
a16z speedrun closes first, on 1 November 2026; Y Combinator closes on 2 November 2026.
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