OpenYC

OpenYC is an AI-native startup accelerator designed to help founders build technology that creates measurable public benefit rather than focusing exclusively on private profit. Built around the principles of openness, artificial intelligence, and digital public infrastructure, OpenYC offers a new model for entrepreneurship where startups are encouraged to solve real-world societal challenges while creating products that can be shared, reused, and expanded by others.

Unlike traditional startup accelerators that primarily focus on venture capital growth and proprietary software, OpenYC is built on the belief that technology should contribute to the public good. The platform connects founders, developers, researchers, and innovators with AI-powered programs designed to help them launch impactful projects faster and more efficiently. Every program is guided by specialized AI agents that help participants move from idea to implementation while providing structured support throughout the development process.

A core concept behind OpenYC is the integration of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Rather than building isolated applications that operate independently, participants are encouraged to connect their solutions to existing public digital systems, such as city infrastructure, public services, healthcare platforms, educational networks, and government technologies. This approach enables startups to create tools that have a broader societal impact while benefiting from established ecosystems and data sources.

Another defining feature of OpenYC is its Public Domain Agent (PDA) framework. Each domain or sector is paired with a dedicated public AI expert designed to provide guidance, knowledge, and support specific to that field. These AI agents act as specialized advisors, helping founders navigate complex challenges, identify opportunities, and accelerate decision-making. Because the agents are designed as public resources rather than proprietary tools, they contribute to OpenYC's mission of making expertise more accessible and scalable.

The accelerator focuses heavily on Digital Public Goods (DPGs), meaning that the projects created within the ecosystem are intended to be public, reusable, and beneficial to wider communities. Instead of locking innovation behind proprietary barriers, OpenYC encourages founders to contribute solutions that can be adapted and expanded by governments, organizations, researchers, and communities around the world. This philosophy promotes collaboration, transparency, and long-term societal value.

OpenYC supports a wide range of mission-driven initiatives across healthcare, government technology, education, public services, accessibility, and social impact sectors. Examples include projects such as Medicare.dev, which aims to simplify healthcare access, and Crohn's AI, which provides support and resources for people living with Crohn's disease and inflammatory bowel diseases. These examples demonstrate the platform's commitment to addressing meaningful problems that affect real people rather than pursuing technology for its own sake.