YC Startup Fundamentals

Complete Y Combinator startup methodology distilled into actionable frameworks for early-stage company building.

Core Principle

Starting a successful startup requires the right team composition, extreme frugality, rapid iteration, and relentless focus on growth—not complex strategies or large amounts of capital.

Team Formation

Requirements Before Starting

Assemble these elements before developing any idea:

• 2-4 co-founders (not 1, not 5+)
• At least 50% engineers on founding team
• Each founder has ~1 year runway saved (ramen-level living, not comfortable lifestyle)
• All founders have quit their jobs (full commitment required)