I always keep a close eye on the Requests for Startups from Y Combinator. It’s not just a list of ideas — it’s a thermometer for the industry. It shows where YC sees the maximum potential for startups and what shifts are happening in technology and the economy.
In the fresh Fall 2025 list, the focus is clear: AI is no longer a feature, but a foundation.
Here are just some of the areas worth exploring:
- AI reskilling of workers: training in welding and repair through multimodal AI and AR/VR simulators.
- Video generation as a primitive: from personalized TikToks to endless games and immersive shopping.
- 10 people on $100B: betting on tiny teams with high revenue per employee and AI at the core.
- Infrastructure for multi-agent systems: like MapReduce, but with LLM instead of code.
- AI-native enterprise software: next-gen CRM and HR integrated into workflows, not layered on top.
- LLM instead of Deloitte: automating government consulting and regulatory processes.
🔗 Source: https://www.ycombinator.com/rfs
