About this Resource

Y Combinator has funded thousands of startups and has distilled its learnings into this guide. It emphasizes clarity, brevity, and focusing on the metrics that matter. This is less of a template and more of a philosophical guide to crafting your narrative.

Key Takeaways

• One-liner: Start with a single sentence that's easy to understand. e.g., "We are the Airbnb for dog walkers."
• Show, Don't Just Tell: Use product screenshots and data visualizations to make your points.
• Traction is Everything: If you have it, flaunt it. Show user growth, revenue, or engagement charts.
• The Team is Crucial: Highlight relevant experience and why your team has an unfair advantage.