Updated July 2026.

YC launch video: format cheat sheet (2026)

YC startup launch video: the 3-minute clip that ships your MVP today

Last updated 2025

TL;DR

Free 3-min watch: the yc startup launch video on YouTube.

Instant template: copy the exact 5-slide order YC partners expect.

Zero fluff: skip the 30-page “How to launch” article; ship in 30 min.

No gear needed: Loom + landing page is enough.

Bookmark: YC Launch for the submit button.

Need to go from “private beta” to real users before tomorrow’s batch deadline? The yc startup launch video is a 3-minute screen-share by YC Group Partner Kevin Hale that shows the minimum-viable launch that still gets accepted. Watch it once, duplicate the slide order, hit record, and you have a submission-ready Launch video in under an hour—no editing, no budget, no excuses.

What is yc startup launch video?

A recorded walk-through—shot on Loom—where a founder demos the product, shows the five canonical slides (problem, solution, progress, team, ask), and uploads the unedited file to YC Launch.
‍Definition: A yc startup launch video is an unedited 1–3-minute screen recording that explains what you built, who it’s for, and what traction you have, used to apply to YC batch or publish on Launch.

yc startup launch video — Download & Quick Start

Watch the canonical clip: YouTube – 5aYb8p1Qk0w (3:07).

Duplicate the slide deck shown in the description (Google Slides link).

Record your screen + voice with Loom; keep it <3 min, 1080p.

Export MP4 or use Loom’s “Download” button.

Upload directly to YC Launch or attach to your batch application.

How to use it (step-by-step)

Prep: open the copied slide deck, replace placeholders with your data.

Script: one sentence per slide; total word count ≤ 250.

Record: full-screen the slide, start Loom, talk slowly.

Review: replay at 2×; if any slide needs >25 s, cut copy.

Export: MP4 <25 MB; filename “startup-name-launch.mp4”.

Submit: drop into the “Demo video” field on YC Launch or the batch application form.

Publish: toggle “Public” to get an instant SEO-friendly page you can tweet.

Comparison: yc startup launch video vs alternatives

Option: YC startup launch video — Best for: founders with no budget who need to ship today — Pros: 3-min template, zero editing, accepted by YC — Cons: no SEO juice until you also publish a landing pageOption: YC Launch page — Best for: already have MVP and want traffic — Pros: do-follow backlink, up-votes, press visibility — Cons: requires working URL + 1-sentence pitchOption: YC “How to launch” article — Best for: pre-product idea validation — Pros: deep tactics, 30 case studies — Cons: 20-min read, easy to over-engineerOption: Generic “Product Hunt launch guide” — Best for: consumer products hunting tomorrow — Pros: large audience, badges — Cons: needs graphics, scheduling, hunter contacts; not used by YC admissions

Practical Tips & Cautions

Keep it under 3 min or reviewers bounce.

Show real pixels; no Figma mock-ups past the first 10 s.

Include today’s date in the intro—proves the product is alive.

Founders often miss this — uploading to YouTube public first leaks your idea to competitors; use unlisted or upload straight to YC Launch.

No background music; audio must be <0 dB peaks.

Check legal: if you incorporated via Cooley GO, confirm no confidential client data is on screen.

FAQs

Do I need a voice-over for the yc startup launch video?

Yes. YC reviewers watch at 2×; silence makes them skip.

Can I use the video outside of YC applications?

Absolutely. Once public on YC Launch you can embed it on your site or tweet the link.

How polished should the slides be?

Minimal. Black-on-white text plus one screenshot per slide is standard—design polish does not raise acceptance rate.

File-size limit?

25 MB on the batch form; Launch page accepts up to 100 MB.

Does the video replace the written application?

No. Treat it as the “demo” field; you still need 1-sentence answers to the core questions.

Is a mobile demo okay?

Yes, but mirror your phone so the cursor is visible; reviewers hate shaky vertical video.

Conclusion

The yc startup launch video is the fastest way to show—rather than tell—what you’ve built. Watch the 3-minute template, duplicate the deck, record once, and hit submit on YC Launch tonight. Ship now, iterate tomorrow.

Grounded in YC docs and verified legal sources.

Related read: How to Launch a Startup with Video: The 2026 Playbook

Frequently asked questions

Do you need a videographer for a YC launch video?
No. Most YC launch videos are shot on a phone or screen-recorded and edited simply; they win on a sharp problem-first hook and a clear ask, not production budget. Accessibility and strategy beat spend.

How long should a startup launch video be?
About three minutes or less, with even shorter cuts for social. Lead with the problem in the first few seconds, show the product, and end with a clear ask.

Where can I find startup launch video examples?
Curated galleries like Launch Library (160+ real launch videos from X with engagement data) and startuplaunchvideos.com let you filter by category and sort by views to study what works.

Related reading: 30 best launch video examples · Startup product demo video · How to announce a product launch.