Founder's note: What we found in the YC community

We always felt like Y Combinator was our crew, even before we applied.

When Michael FesterI and started building 14.ai, we didn’t need convincing about YC.

We’d been following it for years.

Some of our closest friends and early supporters were YC founders.

And every interaction with YC alumni and partners felt familiar, intense, smart, grounded.

So when we finally applied, it wasn’t just a strategic move.

It was personal.

We weren’t looking for just funding or advice.

We were looking for alignment, with people who obsess over product, move fast, and care deeply about what they’re building.

YC gave us that.

It gave us a partner who said “go” when we were still getting our footing.

A community that never makes you feel like you're too early, too small, or too ambitious. 🧡

-Marie