YC Thesis Moving Forward

	GREG ISENBERG ⁦‪@gregisenberg‬⁩ Y Combinator just shared the startups they want to invest in for summer 2025. The big theme is AI that turns 40-hour jobs into 40-minute tasks. My 30 second summary and 12 takeaways below: pic.x.com/wCiYRqEMKm   5/8/25, 11:23 AM

A Few Takeaways from YC’s Summer 2025 RFS

1/ Al isn’t just a tool, it’s the business.

YC is pushing for “full-stack Al companies.” Instead of selling Al tools to industries like law or healthcare, they’re encouraging founders to build entire Al-driven firms that compete directly with traditional players. (Y

2/ Designers, it’s your time to shine.

With coding becoming more accessible, YC believes designers should lead startups. Their user-centric approach and aesthetic sense are crucial in creating products people love.

3/ Voice Al is the new frontier.

Phone interactions haven’t changed in decades. YC sees a massive opportunity in developing voice Al that can handle customer service calls, making interactions seamless and human-like.

4/ Revolutionizing scientific research with Al.

Many scientific tools are outdated. YC is looking for startups that apply Al to accelerate discoveries in fields like chemistry and materials science.

5/ From to-do lists to done lists.

The dream of a true Al personal assistant is closer than ever. YC wants startups to create Al that doesn’t just organize tasks but completes them, learning from your habits and preferences.

6/ Fixing healthcare’s administrative bloat.

A significant chunk of healthcare costs stem from administrative tasks. YC is interested in Al solutions that can automate data extraction and entry, streamlining operations.

7/ Personalized Al tutors for all.

Education hasn’t changed much, but Al offers a chance to create personalized learning experiences. YC is keen on startups that can make learning more interactive and tailored.

8/ Robotics’ ChatGPT moment is near.

Robots have been limited by perception and judgment. With advancements in Al, YC sees potential in developing software tools that make robots more adaptable and useful in various industries.

9/ Reimagining home security with Al.

Home security systems are ripe for innovation. YC is looking for startups that use Al to enhance safety, making systems more proactive and intelligent.

10/ Empowering employees with internal Al agents.

Imagine every employee having their own Al assistant to handle repetitive tasks. YC is interested in infrastructure that allows for the creation of these internal agents.

11/ Building the next OpenAl.

YC was an early backer of OpenAl and wants to fund more independent Al research labs. They’re open to supporting long-term, open-ended research projects.

12/ Voice-controlled email management.

Managing emails can be tedious. YC envisions voice assistants that can help users triage emails, draft replies, and manage schedules, all through voice commands.