Y Combinator hosted its Summer season 2025 Demo Day final week, showcasing the newest batch of over 160 startups.
As with latest batches, the vast majority of startups offered AI-centric options. Nevertheless, a transparent evolution was evident. As an alternative of “AI-powered” merchandise, many firms are actually constructing AI brokers or the infrastructure and instruments wanted to develop them. As an example, this batch had a flurry of voice AI options and new companies targeted on serving to others monetize the “AI economic system” with adverts and advertising and marketing instruments.
We spoke with a handful of YC-focused traders to be taught which startups they discovered most attention-grabbing and which generated the best funding demand.
Under are probably the most incessantly talked about ones:
What it does: Stripe for AI startups
Why it’s a favorite: Many AI startups use advanced pricing fashions that always mix a flat subscription charge per seat with usage-based costs, credit, and varied add-on prices. Managing advanced AI pricing on Stripe is a time-consuming, handbook course of. That’s why Autumn developed an open-source infrastructure that simplifies Stripe integration for AI startups. The corporate says its know-how is already utilized by lots of of AI apps and 40 YC startups. Given Stripe’s dominance in funds and the explosive development of the AI market, might a specialised billing answer for AI be the following main fintech success story?
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What it does: Builds Vercel for AI brokers
Why it’s a favorite: Simply as Vercel helps builders deploy and host startups, Dedalus Labs claims its platform automates the infrastructure for constructing AI brokers, slicing hours of coding down to some clicks. The corporate handles advanced duties like autoscaling and cargo balancing, which it says makes agent deployment quick and easy.
What it does: crowdsource rankings of vibe coded designs
Why it’s a favorite: The flexibility of AI to quickly generate an enormous variety of designs creates a brand new drawback: determining which of them are literally good. Design Enviornment solves this by crowdsourcing rankings of AI-generated visuals, making a suggestions loop that forces AI fashions to enhance. Massive AI labs see worth in coaching their fashions to generate higher designs, as a few of them are already Design Enviornment’s prospects.
What it does: Tech-enabled distributor for retailers in Southeast Asia
Why it’s a favorite: Getasap Asia was based by Raghav Arora three years in the past when he was simply 14 years outdated. Since then, the startup that makes use of tech to ship provides to nook shops, eating places and huge supermarkets in Southeast Asia in beneath eight hours, has earned tens of millions in income. Getasap Asia closed a spherical from Common Catalyst, based on its web site, and we’re listening to that the startup’s valuation was among the many highest in the entire batch.
What it does: AI engineer that fixes bugs in manufacturing
Why it’s a favorite: Based by a 20-year-old Pablo Hansen who final 12 months earned a grasp’s diploma in AI, Keystone is on a mission to cut back software program breaks. The corporate’s AI finds and fixes bugs for purchasers like Lovable and has already turned down a seven-figure acquisition supply, Hansen stated.
What it does: AI matchmaker for feminine pals
Why it’s a favorite: Whereas there isn’t a scarcity of courting apps, RealRoots is tackling a unique form of loneliness. The corporate’s AI matchmaker, Lisa, interviews ladies after which organizes social experiences to attach them with suitable pals. Whereas the AI half may be performative – conversations with Lisa most likely wouldn’t give RealRoots extra insights about contributors than written solutions would – RealRoots could also be on to one thing. Final month alone, the corporate generated $782,000 from 9,000 paying purchasers, its founders stated.
What it does: Automates insurance coverage claims with AI
Why it’s a favorite: Solva’s AI automates probably the most routine duties for insurance coverage adjusters, from filling out advanced claims to stopping improper payouts. Simply ten weeks after launching, Solva has already amassed $245,000 in annual recurring income (ARR), a determine that has traders excited.
What it does: counter-drone mini-missiles
Why it’s a favorite: With China reportedly amassing swarms of cheap drones, the U.S. army faces an pressing want for cost-effective counter-drone options. Perseus is growing simply that: small missiles designed to shoot down drones at a fraction of the price of current programs. A number of branches of the U.S. army have already invited the startup to show its answer, which might result in hefty contracts.
What it does: AI overseas language tutor
Why it’s a favorite: Apps like Duolingo have made language studying accessible and enjoyable, however they usually lack a key element of fluency: constant dialog. Pingo solves this drawback by permitting customers to talk with its AI, which acts as a local speaker. The corporate’s distinctive method is proving extremely fashionable, with founders claiming it’s rising 70% month-to-month and incomes $250,000 in month-to-month income.
