Over half of Y Combinator's latest cohort are building agentic AI solutions. What does this signal about the next wave of AI?
De-risking AI development is the top priority
11 companies are focused on making AI-generated code safer through testing, QA, and guardrails. These new tools will accelerate the growth of more reliable AI software development. Translation: "vibe coding" is getting enterprise-ready.
Web agents are getting specialized
Moving beyond general-purpose browsing to high-value applications; from legacy system integration to automated testing. Agents capable of accessing and browsing the web can access more data and information than what is typically available in a company’s systems. This helps provide more context to agentic systems, improving decision-making, and ultimately autonomy.
Backend automation is the new frontier
While most of the first generation of AI agents have focused on customer-facing tasks, this cohort is targeting back-office operations; accounting, CRM, system implementations. Currently, these companies focus on narrowly defined, specialized backend workflows. Expanding into more end-to-end workflows will require greater trust in agentic AI applications.
Regulated industries are no longer off-limits
19% of the agentic AI companies in YC's spring cohort are targeting healthcare and financial services. With 32% of vertical AI companies already actively deploying solutions, compliance barriers are falling faster than expected.
YC's bets on agentic AI are a leading indicator of where the sector is heading. For investors, acquirers, and operators this is a direct lens into the hottest opportunities and the competitive landscape.
De-risking AI development is the top priority 11 companies are focused on making AI-generated code safer through testing, QA, and guardrails. These new tools will accelerate the growth of more reliable AI software development. Translation: "vibe coding" is getting enterprise-ready.
Web agents are getting specialized Moving beyond general-purpose browsing to high-value applications; from legacy system integration to automated testing. Agents capable of accessing and browsing the web can access more data and information than what is typically available in a company’s systems. This helps provide more context to agentic systems, improving decision-making, and ultimately autonomy.
Backend automation is the new frontier While most of the first generation of AI agents have focused on customer-facing tasks, this cohort is targeting back-office operations; accounting, CRM, system implementations. Currently, these companies focus on narrowly defined, specialized backend workflows. Expanding into more end-to-end workflows will require greater trust in agentic AI applications.
Regulated industries are no longer off-limits 19% of the agentic AI companies in YC's spring cohort are targeting healthcare and financial services. With 32% of vertical AI companies already actively deploying solutions, compliance barriers are falling faster than expected.
YC's bets on agentic AI are a leading indicator of where the sector is heading. For investors, acquirers, and operators this is a direct lens into the hottest opportunities and the competitive landscape.