Paul Graham

Paul Graham is the co-founder and a retired partner of Y Combinator. See sector focus and contact routes.

About Paul Graham

Paul Graham is the co-founder and a retired partner of Y Combinator, a venture firm he created after previously co-founding the web software company Viaweb. As an angel investor, he focuses on early-stage startups, particularly those in the technology sector, and invests globally through Y Combinator’s program that targets small funding amounts for new companies. His typical check size is small, reflecting Y Combinator’s model of providing modest initial capital alongside three months of guidance and industry connections. Notable portfolio companies include Airbnb, Dropbox, and Reddit, all of which were early Y Combinator participants that later achieved significant scale. Graham is widely known for his distinctive point of view on startup culture and entrepreneurship, which he shares through extensive public writing on his blog paulgraham.com. His essays, such as “The Startup Whisperer” coverage, emphasize founder mindset, product focus, and the importance of building something people want.

Paul Graham at a glance

Role
Founder, Retired
Location
Mountain View, CA, United States
Investor type
Venture Capital
Focus areas
Information Technology, Media & Digital Media, Software & Internet

Frequently asked about Paul Graham

What does Paul Graham invest in?
Paul Graham at Paul Graham (Angel) (Mountain View, CA, United States) — sector focus: Information Technology, Media & Digital Media, Software & Internet.
How do I contact Paul Graham?
Paul Graham's published profile links (website, LinkedIn or X where available) are listed on the StartupFundraising.com investor profile.
Where is Paul Graham based?
Paul Graham is based in Mountain View, CA, United States.

This profile is part of the StartupFundraising investor database: focus, portfolio history, disclosed location and contact routes, refreshed as new filings and rounds are ingested. Founders use it to check fit before reaching out and to find investors in Mountain View.

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