There's never been a better time to start an AI company. Not just because there are new ideas, but because the tech finally makes old ones actually work. On the @LightconePod, @garrytan, @harjtaggar, @sdianahu, and @snowmaker talk through the kinds of startups that are suddenly viable thanks to LLMs—from full-stack law firms to personalized tutors to recruiting platforms that can finally scale. They share the patterns they're seeing, the ideas they're excited about, and what it means to live at the edge of the future, where breakthroughs often look like second chances. If you've been waiting for the right moment to build, this is it. 00:41 - Which startup ideas couldn't work before AI? 06:06 - Technical screening products 07:35 - Truly personalized education tools 09:48 - Do better products automatically get better distribution? 14:41 - Moats 16:08 - The need for platform neutrality 17:40 - Big Tech and AI 23:24 - AI horseless carriages 25:14 - Gross margins 30:03 - Full-stack companies 32:30 - ML ops 37:14 - Updated startup advice for the AI age
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker Building an AI company in 2025 is like walking into a time machine. Old ideas that flopped before could potentially work now Time to rebuild pets.com? maybe not that
I had Gemini summarize this video & it's packed with valuable insights! 🚀 - New Startup Opportunities with AI: The discussion highlights the emergence of new startup ideas made possible by advancements in AI, particularly in areas that were previously challenging or inefficient. - Recruiting Startups: AI has revolutionized the recruiting industry by enabling efficient candidate evaluation through code generation models and LLMs. Companies like Meror are leveraging AI to streamline the hiring process for software engineers and expand into other knowledge-based roles. - Marketplace Dynamics: AI is transforming multi-sided marketplaces by reducing complexity and enabling the creation of two-sided platforms. This shift presents opportunities for startups to innovate and disrupt traditional marketplace models. - Personalized Learning: AI-driven hyper-personalization is revolutionizing education by providing tailored learning experiences for students. Companies like Revision Dojo and Adexia are utilizing AI to enhance exam preparation and automate assignment grading for teachers. - Consumer AI: The decreasing cost of intelligence is paving the way for consumer AI applications, potentially leading to widespread adoption of AI-powered tools in various aspects of daily life. - Full-Stack Companies: AI is enabling the resurgence of full-stack companies by automating operational tasks and improving gross margins. Startups can now leverage AI agents to handle various aspects of their business, making full-stack models more viable. - AI Tooling and Infrastructure: There is a growing need for tooling and infrastructure to support the deployment and utilization of AI agents. Startups focused on developing AI infrastructure solutions are well-positioned for success. - Early Adoption and Curiosity: The video emphasizes the importance of following one's curiosity and exploring emerging technologies. Many successful AI companies were founded by individuals who were passionate about the technology and its potential applications. - AI Integration in Existing Companies: Despite the potential of AI, many established companies have been slow to integrate AI into their operations. This presents an opportunity for startups to disrupt traditional industries by leveraging AI to improve efficiency and innovation. - Platform Neutrality: The discussion touches on the need for platform neutrality in the tech industry to foster competition and innovation in AI-driven services, particularly in areas like voice assistants.
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker Believing your intuition and following your heart is super important. That’s what I’ve learned. A lot of startup advices from pre ai era were misleading.
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker Yea, after working with AI for like 2.5 years it's actually able to listen and do stuff properly
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker Finally, my idea for an AI-powered therapist that also makes snacks while listening might just work. 🍪🤖🛋️ Love how the ‘impossible’ is now just ‘give it a weekend and a few prompts.’ Let’s build weird, useful stuff!
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker As a VC, there’s nothing more exciting than this wave of AI startups—where decades-old ideas finally meet the infrastructure to thrive.
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker 95% of companies will be vibe oriented
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker Feels like the “second chances” part hit home the most, so many ideas that felt too early before are now right on time. It’s not just about building with AI, it’s about rebuilding with AI. If you’re building at the edge of the future, I’m your go-to guy
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker As the world begins to embrace AI powered products, companies that refuse to evolve will definitely be left behind in both revenue and growth.
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker There is never a better time to start, it's always the best time! :)
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker What $Bn problem is AI solving
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker There's never been a better time to experiment with automated orchestration of AI Agents for productivity and vibes.
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker hey could hop me into S25 I have applied have to beat some one big in field take me in @garrytan @ycombinator @gustaf @snowmaker @mwseibel
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker I have the ideas I just get stuck building!
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker Totally agree on verifying and shortlisting using LLM. @allpsai we are launching AI interviews and offering to Enterprises.
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker Absolutely—AI’s true magic is making yesterday’s wildest ideas tomorrow’s essentials. The best time to build is now.
AI is breaking barriers and breathing life into ideas that were once just out of reach. @Vendorapp_co , we understand the power of tech-driven solutions—streamlining vendor management and redefining efficiency in real-time. Now is the time to build. #AIRevolution #Innovation #VendorManagement
“There’s never been a better time to start an AI company” With billions in funding flying around and developmental processes build by the industry itself. Ur probably right New start ups = more wood to the kiln. The truth: This industry is too new to make that statement. It’s reckless and self serving for your organization.
@ycombinator @LightconePod @garrytan @harjtaggar @sdianahu @snowmaker Say that to NFT just a couple of years ago.