Derek Thompson’s advice for founders is to follow your curiosity.

Y Combinator • April 9, 2025

Y Combinator

About

All the world is changing around technology and you may contribute a line of code. What will yours be? Subscribe for startup advice, founder stories, and a look inside Y Combinator. What is Y Combinator? We invest $500,000 in every startup and work intensively with the founders for three months. For the life of their company, founders have access to the most powerful community in the world, essential advice, later-stage funding and programs, recruiting resources, and exclusive deals. Visit ycombinator.com to learn more.

Derek Thompson’s advice for founders is to follow your curiosity.

Y Combinator

About

Latest Posts

How Amplitude Went From Skeptics to “All In” on AI

The Best Consumer Startup Ideas Were "Impossible" Until Now

Chase the Hard Problems

Find a Pain Point Worth Solving

You May Also Like

Founder's Toolkit Essentials

MOSISO Laptop Case 13 inch, 13 inch Laptop Sleeve Bag Compatible with MacBook Air 13 M4 M3 M2 M1 2025-2018 / Pro 13 M2 M1 2025-2016, Neoprene Computer Sleeve Bag with Small Case, Space Gray Global Recycled Standard

MOSISO Compatible with MacBook Air 13 inch Case 2021, 2020-2018 Release A2337 M1 A2179 A1932, Plastic Hard Shell&amp;Keyboard Cover&amp;Screen Film&amp;Storage Bag for MacBook Air 13.3 inch Case, Crystal Clear

tomtoc 360° Protective Laptop Sleeve for 13-inch New MacBook Air M4/A3240 2025, M3/A3113, M2/A2681 M1/A2337 A2179 A1932, 13-inch MacBook Pro M2/A2686 M1/A2338, Water-Resistant Computer Case Bag Global Recycled Standard

MOSISO 13-14 inch Laptop Case, 13.3 inch Puffy Laptop Sleeve Compatible with MacBook Air 13 13.6 M4 M3 M2 M1/Pro 13/Pro 14,HP,Dell,ASUS, Lenovo, Polyester Horizontal Bag with Small Case, Rose Red Global Recycled Standard

Wireless Charging Case for AirPods Pro 1st / 2nd Gen with Type-C Charging Port, Compatible with AirPod Pro 2nd Generation Replacement Case, with Blue-Tooth Sync Button, No Earbuds

Cleaner Kit for Airpods Pro 1 2 3 Multi-Function Cleaning Pen with Soft Brush Flocking Sponge for Bluetooth Earphones Case Cleaning Tools White

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, High-Fidelity Sound, H2 Chip, USB-C Charging

Wireless Charger, 3 in 1 Charging Station, Fast Charging Station Foldable Charging Stand, Wireless Charging Station for Multiple Devices, Compatible with lPhone 17/16/15/14/13 Pro Max Airpods Watch

Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones, Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones with Up to 24 Hours of Battery Life, Moonlight Grey - Limited Edition

NEEWER Advanced 18 inch LED Ring Light for Phone, LCD Touch Screen, 2.4G Remote Lights Control, 3200-5600K, Tripod Light for iPhone Action Camera, for Studio Makeup TikTok YouTube Video Salon (Black)

8BitDo Ultimate C Wired Controller for Xbox with RGB Lighting Fire Ring, Hall Effect Triggers and Joysticks, Compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 - Officially Licensed (Dark Gray)

Logitech G203 Wired Gaming Mouse, 8,000 DPI, Rainbow Optical Effect LIGHTSYNC RGB, 6 Programmable Buttons, On-Board Memory, Screen Mapping, PC/Mac Computer and Laptop Compatible - Black

Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Mouse, Hero 12K Sensor, 12,000 DPI, Lightweight, 6 Programmable Buttons, 250h Battery Life, On-Board Memory, PC/Mac - Black

Spiral Notebook, A5 Size 5 Subject Notebooks College Ruled with Tabs and Removable Dividers, 300 Pages 100GSM Thick Spiral Ruled Lined Writing Journal Notebook for Work, School（6.2&quot;x 8.5&quot;）

The Bible In A Year: A 52-Week Study Through God&#x27;s Word, Spiral Bound Bible Study Guide Journal Notebook, A Beautiful Year Planner in the Bible for Women (A5)

Hilroy 1-Subject Coil Notebook, 8&quot; x 10.5&quot;, Quad Ruled, 200 Pages/100 Sheets, 1 Notebook, Colour May Vary (13009)

45W 65W AC Adapter Laptop Charger for Dell Inspiron 15 14 13 17 3000 5000 7000 Series 5558 5559 Charger Latitude E6440 E6430 3520 3420 XPS 13 14 9333 9350 Notebook Dell Computer Power Supply Cord

Metapen Air 8 Apple Pencil for iPad 2018-2025, 20H Battry Life, 2Min Fast Charging, Palm Rejection, Stylus Pen for iPad 11/10/9/8/7/6th, iPad Pro 12.9/11/13“M4, iPad Air 3/4/5/6/M2/M3, iPad mini 5/6

Metapen Air 8 Apple Pencil for iPad 2018-2025, 20H Battry Life, 2Min Fast Charging, Palm Rejection, Stylus Pen for iPad 11/10/9/8/7/6th, iPad Pro 12.9/11/13“M4, iPad Air 3/4/5/6/M2/M3, iPad mini 5/6

Metapen A8 Pencil for iPad 2018-2025, 4Min Fast Charge, Palm Rejection, Tilt Sensitivity Stylus Pen for iPad 10th 11/9/8/7/6, iPad Accessories for Pro 12.9/11/13&quot;, iPad Air 3/4/5/M2/M3, iPad mini 5/6

for iPhone 16/15 Pro Max Charger, 20W Fast Charging USB C Charger Block Wall Power Adapter + 6FT USB-C Cable for iPhone 16 Pro Max Plus 16e, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad Pro 12.9/11/13 inch, Air 4/5

Loading...

MOSISO Compatible with MacBook Air 13 inch Case 2021, 2020-2018 Release A2337 M1 A2179 A1932, Plastic Hard Shell&Keyboard Cover&Screen Film&Storage Bag for MacBook Air 13.3 inch Case, Crystal Clear

Spiral Notebook, A5 Size 5 Subject Notebooks College Ruled with Tabs and Removable Dividers, 300 Pages 100GSM Thick Spiral Ruled Lined Writing Journal Notebook for Work, School（6.2"x 8.5"）

The Bible In A Year: A 52-Week Study Through God's Word, Spiral Bound Bible Study Guide Journal Notebook, A Beautiful Year Planner in the Bible for Women (A5)

Hilroy 1-Subject Coil Notebook, 8" x 10.5", Quad Ruled, 200 Pages/100 Sheets, 1 Notebook, Colour May Vary (13009)

Metapen A8 Pencil for iPad 2018-2025, 4Min Fast Charge, Palm Rejection, Tilt Sensitivity Stylus Pen for iPad 10th 11/9/8/7/6, iPad Accessories for Pro 12.9/11/13", iPad Air 3/4/5/M2/M3, iPad mini 5/6