# YC Pitch Framework

> Seven-step structure for explaining your startup simply and clearly to investors

A seven-part framework synthesized from Y Combinator's guidance on pitching early-stage startups. It focuses on clarity, concrete metrics, and plain language over jargon and hype.

## The framework

1. What do you do?
2. Start with a straightforward description combining company name and core function
3. Avoid complex setups or trying to make the idea sound overly impressive
4. Consider explaining through user experience: "Like Google - you type a question in a box, and we show you websites with answers"
5. Focus on making the listener interested enough to ask follow-up questions
6. Market size
7. Choose between researching existing market data or creating estimates for new markets
8. Share specific demographic breakdowns and avoid overly broad market definitions
9. Include concrete calculations showing total addressable market and your potential share
10. Progress
11. Demonstrate impressive output relative to time invested
12. Prioritize real achievements in product and customer acquisition
13. Quantify progress with specific metrics: user growth, revenue increases, product iterations completed
14. Focus on conveying speed and efficiency of execution regardless of company stage
15. Unique insight
16. Share specific insights from customer interactions, market analysis, and firsthand experience
17. Explain the non-obvious elements that give you competitive advantage
18. Use clear, simple language to convey complex insights
19. Back insights with concrete examples and data
20. Business model
21. Clearly state whether you have a defined revenue model or are focusing on growth first
22. If uncertain, acknowledge industry standard models you're likely to adopt
23. Present one clear, confident revenue strategy rather than multiple possible options
24. Explain how your model aligns with market dynamics and customer behavior
25. Team
26. Share number and roles of founders, emphasizing technical capabilities
27. Length and nature of founding team relationships
28. Full-time commitment status of all team members
29. What do you want?
30. Be explicit about your specific requests from investors
31. Clearly state funding amounts, strategic help, or specific introductions needed
32. Avoid vague questions about validation or general feedback
33. Make it simple for investors to understand how they can help you succeed

## What it is for

- Structure an introductory pitch deck for angel or venture capital meetings
- Prepare concise talking points for demo days and accelerator interviews
- Refine a company's one-sentence explanation to make it immediately understandable

## Key points

- Core offering: Clear description combining name and function without jargon
- Market size: Calculated addressable market with specific demographic breakdowns
- Progress: Measurable growth metrics demonstrating execution speed relative to time
- Unique insight: Non-obvious advantages derived from customer interactions or domain experience
- Business model: Single, confident revenue strategy aligned with market standards
- Team credentials: Founder roles, technical capability, and relationship history
- The ask: Explicit request detailing funding targets or specific strategic introductions

## Pricing

Free

## Details

- Type: Framework
- Category: [Business & Money](https://xiry.app/topics/business-money.md)
- Open source: no
- For: Early-stage startup founders preparing to raise capital or apply to accelerators
- Tags: fundraising, pitches, startups, ycombinator, frameworks, investors

## Why it was saved

- [@benln, 30 October 2024](https://x.com/benln/status/1851679628731035883): A complete, actionable checklist for pitching a startup to investors

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Updated 11 October 2026. Page: https://xiry.app/resources/yc-pitch-framework

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