YC Welcomes Diverse Group of Seasoned Founders as Visiting Partners

YC Welcomes Nine Seasoned Founders as Visiting Partners, Bringing Diverse Expertise to Startups In a move that underscores the importance of mentorship and knowledge sharing in the startup ecosystem, Y Combinator (YC) has announced nine new Visiting Partners. These exceptional founders, who have built and scaled their own companies, will work closely with YC General Partners to advise startups during the current batch. The Visiting Partners, who bring a wealth of experience from various industries, include Matt Riley, Harshita Arora, Grey Baker, Christopher Golda, Raphael Schaad, Christina Gilbert, Francois Chaubard, Vivian Shen, and James Evans. Each has a unique perspective to offer, ranging from design-led products and developer tools to AI infrastructure and edtech. "We're thrilled to have these talented individuals join our community," said Harj Taggar, YC's Managing Partner. "Their expertise will be invaluable in helping our startups navigate the challenges of building and scaling their companies." Matt Riley, a co-founder and CEO of Swiftype (YC W12), which was acquired by Elastic in 2017, is one of the new Visiting Partners. Riley brings extensive experience in product development, having led teams at Elastic that brought Elasticsearch to market. "I'm excited to share my knowledge with the next generation of founders," said Riley. "YC has a proven track record of fostering innovation and growth, and I'm honored to be a part of it." Harshita Arora, who grew up in India and dropped out of school at 15 to pursue coding, is another notable addition to YC's Visiting Partners program. Her journey from self-taught coder to successful founder serves as an inspiration to many. "I believe that mentorship is key to success," said Arora. "I'm looking forward to paying it forward and helping startups overcome the obstacles they face." The new Visiting Partners will work closely with YC General Partners, sharing their hard-won insights from building and scaling their own companies. This collaboration aims to foster a culture of knowledge sharing and mentorship within the startup community. YC's emphasis on mentorship is not new. The organization has long recognized the importance of experienced founders guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs. By bringing in seasoned experts like Riley, Arora, and others, YC is reinforcing its commitment to supporting startups at every stage of their journey. As the startup ecosystem continues to evolve, the addition of these Visiting Partners underscores the need for mentorship and knowledge sharing. With their diverse expertise and experiences, they will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping the next wave of innovation. The current batch of startups will benefit from the guidance and insights provided by YC's new Visiting Partners. As the program continues to evolve, it is likely that more experienced founders will join the ranks, further enriching the startup ecosystem. In related news, YC has announced plans to expand its mentorship programs in the coming months. The organization aims to create a network of experienced founders and industry experts who can provide guidance and support to startups at every stage of their journey. As the startup community continues to grow and evolve, YC's commitment to mentorship and knowledge sharing remains unwavering. With the addition of these nine Visiting Partners, the organization is reaffirming its dedication to supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs. *Reporting by Ycombinator.*