Statement
Request for Startups: Government 2.0 - Michael Seibel
- Y Combinator CEO Michael Seibel has launched a new "Request for Startups" (RFS) initiative focused on the theme "Government 2.0."
- The initiative targets startups addressing societal problems traditionally expected to be solved by government entities but which have failed to resolve them effectively.
- Y Combinator aims to counter the perception that Silicon Valley lacks interest in social improvement by demonstrating that investors are "ridiculously excited" to support founders with significant social missions.
- Eligibility requires that ventures operate as for-profit businesses leveraging software in an important capacity.
- Historical YC portfolio examples cited as successful models include companies that facilitated access to food stamps, healthcare, and solutions for mass incarceration.
- Y Combinator explicitly states interest in funding founders whose primary motivation is making the world or community better rather than solely seeking wealth or scale.