Y Combinator is back with its legendary Startup School event.
It is happening in San Francisco on July 25 and 26, 2026.
This is not just another conference for people to sit and listen.
It is an intense, two-day gathering designed for the most ambitious technical builders on the planet.
The goal is simple: make the future arrive a lot sooner than expected.
If you are someone who loves to build things from scratch, this is your place.
🔥 Who Should Join This Party?
The organizers are hand-selecting the most promising builders from around the world.
They are looking for people who are truly passionate about technology and creation.
Last year, the crowd included Olympiad medalists and top CS students from schools like Stanford, MIT, and Harvard.
There were even young researchers who are already publishing cutting-edge AI work.
The event is meant for undergraduate and graduate students in technical fields.
Software and ML engineers working in the industry are also highly encouraged to attend.
If you have great open-source repos, cool projects, or published papers, you should definitely apply.
They want people who can prove their technical skills through real-world work.
💡 What You Can Expect to Happen
This year, the focus is heavily on making real connections with other builders.
You will be matched with a hyper-curated cohort of people who share your specific interests.
It is a great way to find potential co-founders or just smart friends.
There will be hands-on demos showcasing the latest in robotics and hardware from various YC companies.
You will also get to join small-group sessions with actual YC partners.
This is a golden opportunity to ask your toughest questions about applying to YC in the future.
If you have research to show off, there are poster sessions just for that.
You can present your latest work directly to other talented attendees.
It is a high-energy environment designed to spark new ideas and collaborations.
💸 Extra Perks for the Attendees
YC is providing access to over $25,000 in compute credits to help you build.
These credits come from big names like OpenAI, Anthropic, Cursor, xAI, AWS, and Azure.
It is a huge boost if you are looking to build something with AI.
After the events wrap up each day, there will be after-parties all across San Francisco.
These are hosted by YC alumni and top cloud and AI partners.
It is the perfect time to relax and network in a more casual setting.
For graduating seniors, there is even an inside track to internships and jobs.
You could land a role at one of the fastest-growing YC companies.
Everything about the event is built to help you level up your career.
✈️ Help With Travel Costs
They know that traveling to San Francisco can be expensive for some students.
Because of this, they are offering a limited number of $500 flight credits.
This is available for those who are traveling from outside the Bay Area.
Once you get your acceptance notice, check your confirmation email for the details.
The instructions on how to apply for this financial assistance will be right there.
Do not let the travel costs stop you from putting in an application.
They really want the best builders to be there regardless of where they live.
🎙️ The Lineup of Speakers
The list of speakers is absolutely incredible this year.
Hear from Tech Leaders of the industry.
Jensen Huang, the Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, will be there.
Sam Altman, the Co-Founder and CEO of OpenAI, is also on the speaker list.
Patrick Collison, the leader behind Stripe, will be giving his insights.
Jeff Dean from Google DeepMind and Google Research is confirmed as well.
The AI field is represented by stars like Alexandr Wang from Meta.
You can also learn from Chelsea Finn, who is at Physical Intelligence and Stanford.
There are leaders from Waymo, Boom Supersonic, and many other innovative companies.
Every speaker has a track record of building things that change the world.
Getting to hear them speak in person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
📝 How to Get Your Spot
To attend, you need to head over to the online registration form and request a spot.
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They will reach out with more details if they are able to confirm your attendance.
Make sure you take the time to fill out your application thoroughly.
Show them what you have built and why you deserve to be there.
It is an exclusive event, so putting your best foot forward is very important.
Keep an eye on your email once you have submitted your request.
They communicate all updates directly through the email address you provide.
Don’t wait until the last minute to get your application in.
The sooner you apply, the better your chances of getting a response.
✨ The Vibe of the Event
The energy at Startup School is always something special.
It feels like a big community where everyone is moving in the same direction.
You are surrounded by people who are just as obsessed with building as you are.
The environment is meant to be encouraging and inspiring for everyone involved.
Whether you are a student or a professional, you will feel at home.
San Francisco is the perfect backdrop for a gathering of this kind.
There is something in the air that makes you want to build more.
Take the time to explore the city while you are there for the two days.
Leave feeling energized and ready to tackle your next big project.
🚀 The Future Starts With You
This event is really about building what is currently missing in the world.
Technology is moving faster than ever, and builders are at the center of it.
By attending, you are positioning yourself at the very front of that wave.
It is an investment in your skills, your network, and your future.
Do not miss this chance to be part of the Startup School 2026 experience.
Sign in, apply, and get ready for an amazing trip to San Francisco.
The future is waiting for you to come and create it.
See you in July!
Link to Apply for the Y Combinator Startup School 2026
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