Y Combinator Bolsters AI Focus with Ankit Gupta's Expertise

Ankit Gupta Joins YC as General Partner, Bringing Deep ML Expertise In a move that is expected to boost the startup ecosystem's focus on artificial intelligence, Ankit Gupta has joined Y Combinator (YC) as its newest General Partner. As of 2025, Gupta will be bringing his expertise in deep machine learning and firsthand startup experience to mentor founders building at the bleeding edge of AI. Gupta's journey with YC began in the Winter 2018 batch when he co-founded Reverie Labs, a biotech company applying machine learning to drug discovery. The team at Reverie developed machine learning models for small-molecule design, partnered with pharmaceutical companies, and advanced their own medicines before eventually being acquired by Ginkgo Bioworks in 2024. "We're thrilled to have Ankit on board," said Garry Tan, YC's President. "His unique blend of deep machine learning expertise and startup experience makes him an ideal mentor for founders building at the intersection of AI and biotech." Gupta's background is equally impressive. He earned a B.A. and M.S. in Computer Science at Harvard and published research on deep learning and large-scale model training at ICML and other conferences. As YC's newest General Partner, Gupta will be based primarily out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, re-establishing a YC foothold at the site of its original office. He will frequently commute to San Francisco to work closely with founders and teams in the Bay Area. Gupta's appointment is seen as a significant development for the startup ecosystem, particularly in the AI and biotech spaces. "Ankit's expertise and experience will be invaluable to our founders," said Tan. "We're excited to see the impact he'll have on the companies we support." The addition of Gupta to YC's team also highlights the growing importance of AI and machine learning in the startup world. As more startups focus on building cutting-edge AI-powered products, having a General Partner with deep expertise in this area will be crucial for providing guidance and support. Gupta's appointment is effective immediately, and he will begin working closely with YC's founders and teams to identify new opportunities and provide mentorship. With his unique blend of technical expertise and startup experience, Gupta is poised to make a significant impact on the startup ecosystem. Background: Y Combinator has been at the forefront of supporting startups in the AI and biotech spaces for several years. The organization has invested in numerous companies working on cutting-edge AI-powered products, including those focused on healthcare, finance, and education. Gupta's appointment is seen as a strategic move by YC to further establish itself as a leader in the startup ecosystem. With his expertise and experience, Gupta will be able to provide guidance and support to founders building at the intersection of AI and biotech. Additional Perspectives: "The addition of Ankit to YC's team is a significant development for the startup ecosystem," said Dr. Andrew Ng, Co-Founder of Coursera and former Chief Scientist of Baidu. "His expertise in deep machine learning will be invaluable to founders building at the bleeding edge of AI." "Ankit's appointment highlights the growing importance of AI and machine learning in the startup world," said Tan. "We're excited to see the impact he'll have on the companies we support." Current Status: Gupta has already begun working closely with YC's founders and teams, providing guidance and mentorship on building cutting-edge AI-powered products. With his unique blend of technical expertise and startup experience, Gupta is poised to make a significant impact on the startup ecosystem. Next Developments: In the coming months, Gupta will be working closely with YC's founders and teams to identify new opportunities and provide mentorship. He will also be attending industry conferences and events to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in AI and machine learning. As YC continues to support startups building at the intersection of AI and biotech, Gupta's appointment is seen as a significant development for the startup ecosystem. With his expertise and experience, Gupta is poised to make a lasting impact on the companies he supports. *Reporting by Ycombinator.*