How Y Combinator founders are pitching the AI boom

In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, Y Combinator has become a launching pad for a new wave of startups. One standout is Deepnight, which successfully secured $5.5 million in funding to revolutionize military night vision technology through AI. Similarly, another YC-backed startup aims to enhance the efficiency of U.S. visa applications, raising $2.7 million to bring their vision to life. The trend of youthful entrepreneurs is evident as cofounders of AI voice agent platform Cekura raised $2.4 million, while video calling service Lyra attracted $6 million in seed funding, showcasing the increasing prominence of AI in communication tools. Notably, a duo of 23-year-olds left their jobs at Amazon and Microsoft to dive into the AI landscape, while a second-time founder launched a financial services startup, also emerging from Y Combinator. The drive of the younger generation is remarkable. Brothers aged 19 and 20 transitioned from Stanford to YC, securing $4 million for their venture. Moreover, two teenage founders managed to withdraw from school and garner $3 million, while two MIT dropouts raised $2.7 million with a project aimed at enhancing police capabilities using AI. A father of four, determined to contribute to the U.S. manufacturing revival, raised $4.5 million with his AI-focused initiative. The median age of founders in Y Combinator's summer 2025 cohort has notably dropped to 24, compared to 30 in 2022, illustrating a significant trend toward younger leadership in the tech field. With expectations rising, many founders reported entering Demo Day with more customers and clearer revenue signals. Y Combinator's batches are now witnessing a consistent revenue growth rate of approximately 10% week-over-week across the last six cohorts. The pitch decks shared from this year's participants provide a fascinating glimpse into how early-stage founders are navigating a landscape increasingly defined by AI advancements.