Y Combinator is widely considered to be one of the most successful accelerator programs in the world. It is known for its rigorous selection process, cutting-edge resources, and strong alumni base. But what's the likelihood of a Y Combinator company actually succeeding?
The success rate of Y Combinator companies varies depending on the metric you use. According to Mucker Capital, about 18 percent of Y Combinator companies achieve unicorn status, or an exit of $1 billion or more. Crunchbase estimates that around 37 percent of active Y Combinator companies have been acquired, while 19 percent have achieved an exit of $200 million or more. Altogether, around half of Y Combinator's portfolio has achieved some type of exit.
These figures represent the overall trend of Y Combinator startups, and success will also depend on a specific company’s business model and team. Still, they demonstrate that the accelerator program has a proven track record when it comes to giving entrepreneurs the support they need to succeed.