Press
About Always Apply
Always Apply (alwaysapply.org) is a voluntary, independent educational initiative by an unnamed seasoned founder who has also been a venture capitalist and an angel investor. It explains what WIRED's February 19, 2026 article “Inside the Gay Tech Mafia” reported, and what several top programs, including Y Combinator, publish about applying. It is not affiliated with Y Combinator or WIRED, and the person behind it is not a fan of YC. The aim is to reduce bias and improve the chances of founders everywhere. It does not name people in connection with an unsourced allegation.
Key facts
Zoë Bernard’s WIRED article, published February 19, 2026, is based on conversations with 51 people, 31 of them gay men.
“In conversations with 51 people—31 of them gay men, many of them influential investors and entrepreneurs—a portrait emerged”
Zoë Bernard, “Inside the Gay Tech Mafia,” WIRED, Feb 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab). Checked Oct 14, 2026.
The reporter writes that she was unable to substantiate darker allegations.
“while I was unable to substantiate darker allegations, parts of the story still resonate.”
Zoë Bernard, “Inside the Gay Tech Mafia,” WIRED, Feb 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab). Checked Oct 14, 2026.
The article cites a figure of 0.5 percent of startup venture funding going to LGBTQ+ founders from 2000 to 2022.
“Between 2000 and 2022, the years for which data is available, only 0.5 percent of startup venture funding went to LGBTQ+ founders.”
Zoë Bernard, “Inside the Gay Tech Mafia,” WIRED, Feb 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab). Checked Oct 14, 2026.
Nine of the 31 gay men she spoke with described unwanted advances from other men in the industry.
“Of the 31 gay men I spoke to for this story, nine tell me they experienced unwanted advances from other gay men in the industry.”
Zoë Bernard, “Inside the Gay Tech Mafia,” WIRED, Feb 19, 2026 (opens in a new tab). Checked Oct 14, 2026.
Y Combinator’s FAQ says its application is open to any startup, anywhere in the world. YC is one of several top programs.
“We have an application process that's open to any startup, anywhere in the world.”
Y Combinator FAQ (opens in a new tab). Checked Oct 14, 2026.
That same FAQ says YC does not rely on introductions the way many investors do.
“No. One of YC's core principles is considering all applications equally. We don't rely on introductions the way many investors do.”
Y Combinator FAQ (opens in a new tab). Checked Oct 14, 2026.
YC’s apply page, checked October 14, 2026, lists a Winter 2027 on-time deadline of November 2 at 8pm PT, decisions by December 11, mostly video interviews, and says late applications are still considered.
“Y Combinator is accepting applications for the Winter 2027 Batch funding cycle.”
“The deadline to apply on-time is November 2 at 8pm PT; if you apply before the deadline, you will get a decision by December 11.”
“Most interviews will be held by video conference in November and December.”
“If you apply after the deadline, we will still consider the application but can't promise exactly when we'll get back to you.”
Y Combinator, Apply page (opens in a new tab). Checked Oct 14, 2026.
Principles
- Independent. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or speaking for Y Combinator, WIRED / Condé Nast, or the other programs linked from the site. The person behind it is not a fan of YC.
- No named allegations. Rumours about specific people are not repeated. Garry Tan appears only as the on-record response WIRED already published.
- Sourced. Factual claims carry a number, a short quotation, a link, and the date the page was checked. See Sources and methodology.
Contact
contact@alwaysapply.org. It is not a hotline, and it is not Y Combinator.