Y Combinator Opens Remote Access to Ukrainian Defense Startups for Winter 2026
The Silicon Valley accelerator will allow Ukrainian founders to join its next batch remotely — a landmark exception granting $500,000 investments and global mentorship to defense-tech innovators unable to leave the country.
KYIV, Ukraine — 10 November 2025
Y Combinator, the world’s most influential startup accelerator, will accept Ukrainian defense-tech startups into its Winter 2026 batch under exceptional remote-participation terms. The decision marks a significant exception for the accelerator, allowing founders from an active war zone to join without relocating to San Francisco.
The change followed a public exchange between Ukrainian entrepreneur Oleg Kostour and Y Combinator Partner Jared Friedman. Kostour wrote that “the problem with Ukrainian drone startups applying to Y Combinator is that the founders may not be able to leave the country to participate,” urging remote options for founders in countries at war. Friedman replied: “We would consider an exception here.”
We would consider an exception here.
— Jared Friedman (@snowmaker) October 31, 2025
Applications for the Winter 2026 program close November 10th, with interviews conducted via videoconference in November and December. Selected startups will receive $500,000 in investment, split into two tranches before the program begins. As with all Y Combinator participants, companies must incorporate in Delaware to access funding.
The three-month program, running January to March 2026, combines intensive mentorship and investor preparation. Graduates gain access to YC’s global network of venture firms and angels, which has helped propel many portfolio companies to billion-dollar valuations.
Until 2024, Y Combinator did not accept defense-related startups. That stance has shifted, and the accelerator now includes defense tech among the categories it backs — reflecting a broader focus on security, autonomy, and resilience technologies.
For Ukraine’s fast-growing defense-tech ecosystem — which includes startups developing drones, battlefield AI, and command-and-control systems — the move removes a major barrier to global access. Founders can now engage YC mentors and investors while continuing operations inside the country.
Y Combinator has backed more than 5,000 startups globally, including Airbnb, DoorDash, Coinbase, Dropbox, Twitch, Reddit, and Stripe, with a combined portfolio valuation exceeding $800 billion. Several Ukrainian-founded companies — Awesomic, AiSDR, YouTeam, Datrics, and Petcube — are also among its alumni.
