YCombinator Startup school
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About YCombinator Startup school
Startup School is a free online course by Y Combinator that provides essential advice for ambitious startup founders. The curriculum features lectures from YC partners and industry leaders, covering topics such as MVP planning, fundraising, press launch, user growth, team leadership, and YC application. Additionally, it offers a co-founder matching platform with over 100,000 matches made and a weekly update tool to track growth and accountability. The course is designed to be completed in approximately 7 weeks with 1-2 hours per week, and is open to anyone at the early stages of building a startup or considering becoming a founder.
Key Features
Video curriculum taught by YC partners and industry leaders
Co-founder matching platform with over 100,000 matches
Weekly update tool for tracking startup progress and accountability
Advice based on 15 years of YC's experience
Certificate of completion? (not explicitly stated but implied from course structure)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free access to high-quality content from top startup accelerator
- Includes practical tools like co-founder matching and progress tracking
- Self-paced with flexible schedule (1-2 hours per week for 7 weeks)
- Taught by renowned experts including Michael Seibel, Kat Manalac, and Mark Zuckerberg
Cons
- Primarily designed for early-stage founders; less relevant for later-stage startups
- Not a substitute for Y Combinator's full accelerator program
- Requires consistent weekly commitment to maximize benefits
Best For
Early-stage startup founders seeking foundational knowledgeTurning side projects into companiesIndividuals curious about entrepreneurship and becoming foundersPreparing to apply to Y Combinator for funding
FAQ
What is Startup School?
Startup School is a free online course from Y Combinator that teaches how to start a startup, featuring lectures from YC partners and industry leaders.
Who is Startup School for?
It is for anyone at the early stages of building a startup, turning a side project into a company, or curious about becoming a founder.
How long does Startup School take?
The course takes approximately 7 weeks if you spend 1-2 hours per week.
Is Startup School free?
Yes, Startup School is completely free.
Does Startup School include co-founder matching?
Yes, it includes YC's Co-Founder Matching platform, which has made over 100,000 matches.