The video reviews the redesign of the Y Combinator website, highlighting its shift from a generic, logo-focused SaaS template to a storytelling-driven platform that centers on real founder journeys and YC’s transformative impact. The new site emphasizes authentic founder testimonials, interactive elements, and a minimal design, aiming to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs while showcasing YC’s unique value through narrative rather than traditional marketing tactics.
The video is a special episode of Design Review featuring the designer Evard, who worked on the newly launched Y Combinator (YC) website. The hosts begin by reflecting on the previous YC homepage, which was designed several years ago and had a utilitarian, B2B SaaS template feel. They critique its lack of storytelling, overemphasis on company logos rather than founders, and vague messaging that didn’t quantify YC’s impact or highlight the unique aspects of the YC experience. The old site, while functional, failed to inspire or communicate the transformative journey of YC founders.
In redesigning the website, the team aimed to shift from selling a program to inspiring visitors and telling a compelling story. Drawing inspiration from Paul Graham’s essays and the concept of “formidable” founders, they wanted the new site to evoke the idea that anyone could become a successful founder. The hero section and subsequent content focus on the before-and-after journeys of real YC founders, emphasizing their humble beginnings and the transformative impact of YC. The site also highlights the combined valuation of YC-funded companies and retains some original copy from the earliest YC website for continuity and authenticity.
A key feature of the new site is its focus on founder stories rather than YC’s own narrative. The team interviewed recent YC alumni, collecting genuine quotes about their experiences and presenting them as a continuous, founder-driven narrative. Interactive elements allow users to see the faces and backgrounds of these founders, making the testimonials more relatable and credible. This approach aligns with the overarching goal of putting founders front and center, rather than the YC brand itself.
The design also incorporates playful and engaging elements, such as lightly animated photos of notable Silicon Valley figures and YC partners, many of whom were once YC founders themselves. By showing partners’ photos from their own batch days, the site visually communicates the idea that YC’s leadership truly understands the founder journey. Additional sections showcase recent media, startup news, and Paul Graham’s essays, culminating in a clear call to action: “It’s never too early to apply to YC,” encouraging aspiring founders to take the leap regardless of their stage.
The process behind the redesign was notably different from traditional web design workflows. Instead of spending extensive time in Figma, the team quickly moved to prototyping live in code, using AI tools like Opus 4.5 to experiment with layouts and interactions. This allowed for rapid iteration and a focus on storytelling and interactivity, rather than static visuals. The result is a minimal, distraction-free site that prioritizes narrative and founder inspiration over conventional conversion tactics, setting a new standard for how web design can communicate a brand’s mission and impact.