When Does the YC Spring Batch Start? 2026 Dates & Timeline
What Is the YC Spring Batch? (X + Year)
The YC spring batch is Y Combinator's second cohort each calendar year, coded X plus the year—e.g. X26 for Spring 2026. If you searched "when does the YC spring batch start" or "when does yc spring batch start," you are planning around the April–June program window (typical) and the February application deadline (typical).
Spring is not labeled "S"—S is Summer. Letter codes: YC batch codes decoded. Overview of all seasons: Y Combinator batch schedule.
When Does the Spring Batch Start and End?
Exact dates shift slightly each year; confirm on apply.ycombinator.com [1]. Typical Spring (X) window:
| Milestone | Typical timing |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | ~February (8 p.m. PT) |
| Batch kickoff / program start | ~April |
| Program end / Demo Day | ~June |
| 2026 Demo Day (X26) | Tuesday, June 16, 2026 [2] |
Program length is roughly three months—see how long is Y Combinator. Browse Spring 2025 companies for peer examples.
Spring vs. Winter, Summer, and Fall
| Batch | Code | Typical kickoff | Typical Demo Day month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | W | ~January | March |
| Spring | X | ~April | June |
| Summer | S | ~June | September |
| Fall | F | ~October | December |
Queries like "when does yc summer batch start" follow the same pattern with Summer (~May deadline, ~June kickoff). Choosing a season: when to apply and choose a batch.
When Applications Open for Spring
YC opens applications well before the spring deadline—often weeks or months. There is usually no separate "early" tier; submitting early enters rolling review sooner. Timeline details: YC application timeline and how to apply to Y Combinator.
For Spring 2026 (X26), plan backward from June 16 Demo Day: applications ~February 2026, kickoff ~April 2026 (confirm on YC's site).
First Two Weeks After Spring Batch Kickoff
After spring kickoff, teams typically:
- Relocate or align on in-person work in the Bay Area (check YC's current batch policy).
- Begin regular partner office hours and batch events.
- Ship a visible product update or launch goal for the first month.
- Meet other X-batch founders—peer network is batch-specific.
Funding from the standard deal often starts at acceptance, which may be before official kickoff. Benefits overview: what YC gives accepted founders.
Conclusion
The YC spring batch (code X) typically starts around April, ends with Demo Day around June—June 16, 2026 for X26. Apply by the ~February deadline on the official portal, then confirm dates on Guide Startups batch pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the YC spring batch start?
Typically around April, with Demo Day around June. Spring 2026 Demo Day is June 16, 2026. Confirm kickoff on apply.ycombinator.com.
What is the YC spring batch code?
X plus the year—X26 is Spring 2026. X is used because S is reserved for Summer.
When is the spring batch application deadline?
Usually around February at 8 p.m. Pacific Time, before an April kickoff.
When does the YC summer batch start?
Summer (S) typically kicks off around June with a ~May application deadline and September Demo Day.
Is the spring batch in-person?
YC's default has been in-person in the San Francisco Bay Area; verify current policy for your cohort year on YC's site.
How do I see companies in the spring batch?
Browse /batches/spring-2025 or the matching year on Guide Startups after the cohort graduates.
References
- Apply to Y Combinator
- 2026 Demo Day Dates – Y Combinator