ExploreYC
nicheProductConsolidated API for YC and a16z startup data, useful for researchers and builders but not essential for most developers.
What it is
An open-source API that provides structured data on 6,600+ companies from Y Combinator and a16z, including funding, stage, exit status, and founders. Also includes a web app with map, analytics, hiring board, and AI tools.
How it compares to the alternatives
Alternatives include scraping YC's list, a16z portfolio page, or using Crunchbase API. ExploreYC consolidates both into one API with no cost (open-source). It's easier than DIY but less comprehensive than paid services like Crunchbase.
Devil's advocate — do you actually need this?
You likely don't need this. The data is publicly available on YC's site and a16z's portfolio page. A simple Python script to scrape those pages is a weekend project. The API is a thin wrapper over that data. Unless you need frequent updates or programmatic access without dealing with parsing, this is redundant.
What would make it better
Include more VC firms, add real-time updates, or provide a GraphQL endpoint for flexible queries. Also, ensure data freshness and add historical data.
The honest case for it
If you regularly need to analyze startup portfolios, build a dashboard, or integrate startup data into your app, this saves you the hassle of scraping multiple sources. It's open-source, so you can customize it. The web app is also useful for quick exploration.
Who it's for
Audience fit
Depth and leverage for a technical engineer who wants to understand it and level up their workflow — not just offload work.
Value for someone who wants a more capable tool without the technical depth — accessible, does-it-for-you.
The API is designed for developers integrating startup data, but the web app is also accessible to non-technical users.