Autonomous Companies
Two days at YC to build a company that runs itself, with agents doing the work end-to-end.
November 7–8, 2026 · Y Combinator, San Francisco
Applications open soonRead the brief
The brief
Build an autonomous company.Not a demo of one.
- 01
Start a real business
Pick a market: a media channel, an agency, a store, a service. Start from a naïve template or from scratch.
- 02
Staff it with agents
A CEO and a team, each with its own computer, inbox, money and the web. You set the goal; they make the calls.
- 03
Let it run
By demo time it should be operating without you: making, selling, shipping, earning.
Prizes
Three overall winners,and one for every track.
1st place
TBD
2nd place
TBD
3rd place
TBD
- Most autonomous companyTBD
- Most likely to become a unicornTBD
- Best use of naïveTBD
- People's choiceTBD
Questions
- Who can apply?
- Anyone who can be in San Francisco for both days. Apply on the YC event page; we review every application with YC. You must be 15 or older, and 15 to 17 year olds need a parent's consent form.
- How does judging work?
- Live demos, two to four minutes, to a small panel. Judges look at how much of the company runs without you. The top eight to ten teams demo again on the main stage, and every winner is announced in the room.
- What is an autonomous company?
- A business where agents do the work end-to-end: they find the customers, make the product, run the accounts and report back. People set the goal and the limits.
- Do I need a team?
- No. Come solo or bring a team; you can also find people at kickoff.
- Will there be food?
- Yes. Meals, snacks and drinks through the day. The office is alcohol-free.
- What should I bring?
- Your laptop and charger. An extension cord and headphones help.