AI · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to YC Idea Matcher

Check if YC has invested in your business idea before

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. YC Idea Matcher launched in 2023; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1YI
YC idea matcher – Submit an idea and get a list of similar YC companies▲36
This project uses semantic search, an advanced search technique that aims to understand the intent and context behind a search query instead of just matching keywords. It's built using Neon Postgres + pg_embedding and OpenAI for generating embeddings. More details can be found in the repo https://github.com/neondatabase/yc-idea-matcher
2023 · yc-idea-matcher.vercel.app · its alternatives →
2
Y Combinator Co-founder Matching▲642
YC’s free online platform to help you find your co-founder
2021 · ycombinator.com · its alternatives →
3
Y Combinator Companies▲454
Interactive list of all 1000+ YC companies
2016 · ycombinator.com · its alternatives →
4
LookUp YC▲143
Ask questions and get advice from Y Combinator videos
2023 · lookup-yc.herokuapp.com · its alternatives →
5
YC Library▲810
The new hub for YC's startup videos, essays, podcasts & more
2023 · ycombinator.com · its alternatives →
6
Apply to YC (Y Combinator)▲386
Curated collection of resources for founders applying to YC.
2017 · its alternatives →
7
The Y Combinator Database▲866
The definitive database of YC companies with all the metrics
2017 · ycdb.co · its alternatives →
8
YC has it▲219
Describe your problem, get the YC startup that solves it
Jul 2026 · ychasit.com · its alternatives →
9
YC Application Helper▲191
AI helper for your YC application
2023 · ycmentor.com · its alternatives →
10
The Y Combinator Database 2.0▲604
Everything you ever wanted to know about YC companies
2018 · ycdb.co · its alternatives →
11
AI-Powered VC Sheet▲346
Type what you do -> get investors tuned into your industry
2023 · leadspicker.com · its alternatives →
12
Ideabrowser.com▲518
The place to find trends & startup ideas worth building
2025 · ideabrowser.com · its alternatives →
13
Y Combinator Holiday Gift Guide 2016▲243
Gift ideas from companies funded by YC
2016 · ycgiftideas.com · its alternatives →
14
InvestorFinder▲288
Find investors who've backed founders just like you
May 2026 · tools.crustdata.com · its alternatives →
15
YC Interview Simulator 2.0▲457
YC interview prep - pitch, reflect & improve
2024 · mentara.io · its alternatives →
16
YC Companies Map▲180
A map of YC companies around the world. Discover YC startups by city, batch, and industry. Powered by FoundersAround.
2025 · yc.foundersaround.com · its alternatives →
17
YC Mentor▲212
Your AI mentor with YCombinator knowledge
2023 · ycmentor.com · its alternatives →
18
YC Students▲181
Browse student jobs & internships at Y Combinator companies
2019 · entryleveljobs.me · its alternatives →
19
YC Directory▲397
Discover YC companies
2020 · ycombinator.com · its alternatives →
20YS
YC's startup advice, organized and searchable▲161
2020 · ycadvice.com · its alternatives →
21
YC New Year's B2B Buying Guide▲262
Tech & services for your business, made by YC startups
2017 · ycb2bguide.com · its alternatives →
22
Venture Matching▲286
Tinder for venture capital
2023 · parsers.vc · its alternatives →
23
IdeaCooker▲81
Helps startups test their market before launch
2021 · ideacooker.com · its alternatives →
24IG
Idea Generator That Uses YC as Data▲132
2017 · ycremix.com · its alternatives →

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Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →