Y Combinator, one of Silicon Valley’s most renowned startup accelerators, hosted its Winter 2025 Demo Day on Wednesday, unveiling its latest batch of 160 startups. Over the years, YC has nurtured some of the most successful companies, including Stripe, Airbnb, and Reddit.
This year, many YC startups are heavily focused on revolutionizing AI. Interestingly, rather than building their own AI agents, a significant number are creating tools to enhance existing ones. Although AI agent tools are not a new concept, a few from this batch truly managed to stand out.
Additionally, some noteworthy startups didn’t quite make our top list but still captured our attention. For instance, Optifye develops software to manage factory workers and recently found itself in the middle of a social controversy. Meanwhile, Artificial Societies runs AI simulations to predict how LinkedIn posts will perform within a simulated version of a professional network.
Since YC consistently attracts innovative and intriguing companies, here are the standout startups from YC W25 that are definitely worth a closer look.
Abundant
What it does: API for AI agent teleoperation
Why it stands out: Waymo’s autonomous vehicles succeed partly because human operators can remotely intervene when needed. Abundant applies the same concept to AI agents, providing an API that detects failures and allows human operators to take control.
Browser Use
What it does: Enables AI agents to navigate browsers
Why it stands out: This startup gained traction after a Chinese AI agent, Manus, used its open-source tool to browse websites and fill out forms. With AI browsing agents like OpenAI’s Operator on the rise, Browser Use provides a powerful open-source solution.
GradeWiz
What it does: Automates grading with AI
Why it stands out: Teaching assistants play a crucial role in universities, but grading repetitive assignments consumes valuable time. Founded by former Cornell TAs who loathed grading, GradeWiz automates the process, freeing up TAs for more meaningful academic tasks.
Misprint
What it does: A stock market-style platform for Pokémon cards
Why it stands out: Co-founder Eva Herget left her Goldman Sachs job to sell Pokémon cards full-time, earning $40,000 per month. Now, she and her team have built a marketplace where users can buy and sell cards using a bid/ask system, tapping into the $3.5 billion secondary Pokémon card market.
Nextbyte
What it does: AI-driven hiring for “vibe coders”
Why it stands out: AI-assisted coding is transforming the industry, with 25% of YC startups reportedly having codebases that are 95% AI-generated. Nextbyte’s AI model evaluates developers’ skills in leveraging AI, helping companies find top talent in this evolving field.
Pickle
What it does: AI-powered Zoom call avatars
Why it stands out: For remote workers, joining Zoom calls in pajamas or with messy hair is common. Pickle allows users to create AI avatars that mimic their speech in real-time, providing a polished virtual presence. With over 1,500 paying users, it’s already gaining traction.
Rebolt
What it does: AI automation for restaurant management
Why it stands out: Managing restaurant inventory often involves manual spreadsheets and endless supplier communication. Rebolt automates these processes using AI agents and is in pricing discussions with the parent company of Burger King.
Red Barn Robotics
What it does: Autonomous weeding robot for farms
Why it stands out: Weeds threaten crops, but manual removal is costly and labor-intensive. Red Barn Robotics, founded by a former Apple hardware lead, developed “The Field Hand,” a weeding robot that’s 15 times faster and significantly cheaper than human labor. The startup has secured $5 million in LOIs for the upcoming season.
Retrofit
What it does: AI-curated vintage clothing marketplace
Why it stands out: Shopping for vintage clothing online can be overwhelming. Retrofit uses AI to filter thousands of listings and curate selections based on current trends, offering a more streamlined shopping experience with an aesthetically pleasing website.
Splash
What it does: Autonomous patrol boats
Why it stands out: Autonomy is a growing trend in defense technology. Splash develops autonomous patrol boats designed for sea border security. The startup has already completed a 200-mile autonomous voyage in the San Francisco Bay Area and boasts an 800-mile range.
YC W25 features an exciting mix of startups pushing the boundaries of AI, automation, and innovative business models. These companies are poised to make a significant impact in their respective industries.
