Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost to the program?

Startup School is completely free. All you need is a device with access to the internet.

We believe that all founders should have access to the best startup advice - no matter where in the world you’re building your company. Startup School is the compilation of the best advice that YC partners have offered themselves or gathered from experts in the field. We offer this for free so that founders can use this advice while focusing on building your startup. We also hope that more founders from SUS will apply to YC!

Who is eligible for the program?
Startup School is open to all founders currently working on a startup or thinking about starting one in the future.
I don't have a startup yet, should I still enroll?
We have 2 different tracks within Startup School. One is for ‘aspiring founders’, where you can learn about what it means to be a founder and generate ideas for a future startup. The second track is for active founders.
My startup is already launched and we have customers, is there value for later stage founders?
Yes, we designed Startup School to be helpful for a wide range of startups. You can indicate the ‘stage’ that your company is in when you create your SUS account. We still see value in the YC content, submitting weekly updates, and you will be grouped with other founders in a similar stage during group sessions.
Is there a limit to the number of founders who can participate in the program?
We do not have a limit on the number of participants.
How many hours should I expect to put into this?

We expect most founders will be focused on building their startups. The program flexibility allows for you to spend as much time as you want in Startup School.

A suggestion for your time during a typical week is approximately 3 hours: 1 hour to watch a lecture video, 30 minutes to read or post on the forum, 30 minutes to submit a weekly update, and 1 hour to participate in a group session.

If I’m doing a startup, why should I bother with this? What do I get out of it?
If you’re doing a startup, this program will help provide insight on running your company through exposure to best practices, helpful resources, and actionable advice. In addition to the lecture material, you will have access to moderators, YC partners, and become a part of an international community of founders.
How does this relate to Y Combinator? Does it replace YC? Will it improve my chances of getting into YC?

Startup School is a resource created by YC for anyone considering starting their own company; it is not meant to replace YC’s core program. While being part of Startup School does not automatically improve your chances of getting into YC, it can certainly help indirectly by making your company more successful!

Over the last couple of years, we have seen an increase in the number of YC companies that have participated in SUS. In the most recent YC batch, 45% of companies were former Startup School participants.

What are the requirements to complete and pass the course? Are there exams and homework?
There are no exams or requirements to “pass” the course. You can earn badges through your participation. To earn the Startup School Certification Badge (similar to the former ‘graduation requirements’), you must submit a weekly update for 8 weeks in a row, participate in one group session, and watch or read all of the curriculum content.
If I’m working with other people, who should participate?
We recommend inviting your co-founders to participate with you. Designate one founder as your representative for group sessions.