The Knowledge Project #226 · May 13, 2025 · 1h 45m

Garry Tan: Inside Y Combinator's Startup Formula

Garry Tan — CEO of Y Combinator, co-founder of Initialized Capital. How YC selects founders, what separates companies that make it from those that don't, and the evolution of early-stage investing.

Highlights

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The founder trait that predicts success

Tan looks for founders who combine relentless determination with the ability to change their mind when evidence demands it.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

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YC's value isn't the program — it's the network

The 3-month YC program is a forcing function. The real value is the alumni network that lasts forever.

Claude ChatGPT Gemini

Misc

✧Co-founded Initialized Capital — early backer of Coinbase, Instacart, Flexport

✧Now running YC