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Y Combinator vs Techstars
What Y Combinator and Techstars each invest, the equity they take, who they suit and when applications close, from each programme's own pages.
Y Combinator vs Techstars
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.
Techstars
- Funding
- US$220,000 US$220k: $20k on a post-money convertible equity agreement for 5% in common stock plus $200k on an uncapped MFN SAFE
- Instrument
- SAFE
- Equity taken
- 5% 5% in common stock from the convertible equity agreement, plus whatever the $200k uncapped MFN SAFE converts into at the next priced round
- Programme fee
- not published
- Duration
- not published
- Cohort size
- not published
- Cohorts
- not published
- Delivery
- Hybrid
- Stages
- Pre-seed, seed
- Sectors
- Sector-agnostic
- Open to founders from
- not published
- Perks
- not published
Programmes last three months. The New York City programme meets in person for its first two weeks, one week in the middle and demo day. The offer is regional: Techstars Tokyo invests US$120k ($100k uncapped MFN SAFE or J-KISS plus $20k for 5%).
Where they differ
| Term | Y Combinator | Techstars |
|---|---|---|
| Funding | US$500,000 | US$220,000 |
| Equity taken | 7% | 5% |
| Instrument | SAFE | SAFE |
| Programme fee | No fee | not published |
| Duration | not published | not published |
| Cohorts | 4 a year | not published |
| Delivery | In person | Hybrid |
| Stages | Idea, pre-seed, seed | Pre-seed, seed |
| Sectors | Sector-agnostic | Sector-agnostic |
| Based in | San Francisco, United States | United States |
| Next deadline | 2 November 2026 | 18 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
Techstars fits founders
- At the pre-seed or seed stage
- Who can join some sessions in person in the United States
- In any sector
- Willing to give up 5% equity; the standard offer is US$220,000
Application dates
Y Combinator
Winter 2027: applications close 2 November 2026.
Techstars
New York City, Boston, London and Anywhere 2027: applications opened 24 August 2026 and close 18 November 2026; the programme starts 8 March 2027 and demo day is 3 June 2027.
Y Combinator vs Techstars: questions founders ask
Which invests more, Y Combinator or Techstars?
Y Combinator publishes the larger standard offer: Y Combinator US$500,000, Techstars US$220,000.
Which takes less equity, Y Combinator or Techstars?
Techstars publishes the smaller stake: Y Combinator 7%, Techstars 5%. Each listing's equity note says what else converts later.
Which closes first, Y Combinator or Techstars?
Y Combinator closes first, on 2 November 2026; Techstars closes on 18 November 2026.
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