Paul Graham says YC startups should sell to batchmates, with more than 10% of batch companies already using its product
Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham posted on X on November 6 that, during office hours, he advised a startup to focus on selling to its batchmates. Graham said that doing so is both a real test of whether the product is good and the best influence on the product’s evolution.
After the company acted on that advice, more than 10% of the batch companies are now using its product. One reply pointed out that the YC fall 2026 batch has about 214 companies, and 10% is roughly equivalent to 21 startups.
Graham has previously emphasized that selling to startups is an effective way to validate a product and obtain feedback. Each Y Combinator batch brings multiple startups together for guidance, and companies within the batch often form an early-user and feedback network.
Original source:
Title: In office hours with a startup, I suggested they focus on selling to their batchmates... Publisher: Paul Graham (@paulg) Publication date: 2026-11-06 URL: https://x.com/paulg/status/2118783984616591857 Source type: original social media post Verification status: confirmed by reading the original post for this report, verification date 2026-11-06 Supporting content: supports the main advice, result, and batch usage ratio in the body
ABAB AI Insight
Paul Graham said on November 6 that he advised a YC startup during office hours to focus on selling to its batchmates because that is both a real test of whether the product is good and the best influence on the product’s evolution. After the company acted on that advice, more than 10% of the batch companies were using its product.
On the feedback and validation path, Graham believes that batchmates will not be easily persuaded by a demo, and actual usage is a stricter test. One reply estimated that the YC fall 2026 batch has about 214 companies, and 10% is roughly equivalent to 21 startups. Graham had previously said that selling to newly formed startups is a good way to validate a product, and if investors object, one should treat them as idiots.
Compared with selling to large companies, selling to startups in the same batch can provide faster feedback and product iteration. The similarity is that both seek early users; the key difference is that batchmates and founders are at a similar stage, making their judgment of product usefulness more direct and also able to influence the direction of product evolution. The YC batch structure itself promotes mutual help and early adoption among companies.
For startups, the 10% batch usage rate provides an internal validation signal, but batch companies may be more willing than ordinary users to try new technology. For YC, this case reflects the role of the batch network as a source of early customers and feedback. For founders, Graham’s advice emphasizes prioritizing real usage over mere demonstrations when resources are limited.
ABAB News · Cognitive Laws
Graham suggested selling to batchmates, which is both a product test and the best influence on evolution.
After the company acted on that advice, more than 10% of the batch companies were using its product.
Actual use by batchmates is regarded as a stricter validation than a demo.