Michael Seibel, who has been part of Y Combinator for more than a decade in roles including YC Founder (w07, w12), Group Partner, and Managing Director/CEO of the accelerator, is transitioning to Partner Emeritus, Y Combinator announced on March 20, 2025.
- Seibel becomes Partner Emeritus at Y Combinator.
- He has served as YC Founder (w07, w12), Group Partner, and Managing Director/CEO.
- Announcement published on the Y Combinator Blog, March 20, 2025.
What happened
Y Combinator announced that Michael Seibel is moving into the Partner Emeritus role. Over more than a decade at YC he has held multiple senior positions, including YC Founder (w07, w12), Group Partner, and Managing Director/CEO of the accelerator.
The announcement was posted on the Y Combinator Blog on March 20, 2025, framing the change as a transition in his formal role within the organization while keeping his connection to the YC community.
Why it matters
Seibel has been a visible leader and mentor within the YC ecosystem; his role change matters because it alters who will carry day-to-day leadership and founder-facing responsibilities at the accelerator while preserving institutional experience in an emeritus capacity.
For founders, investors, and YC alumni, the transition signals continuity of the network’s knowledge base even as operational duties are redistributed among current partners and staff.
What to watch next
Watch for follow-up announcements from Y Combinator about how responsibilities will be redistributed among partners and which team members will step into expanded operational roles. Updates on Seibel’s specific activities—such as advising, speaking, or mentorship engagements—will clarify how he will remain involved.
Also monitor founder and alumni reactions and any adjustments to YC programming that reflect the leadership change, as those will indicate practical effects on deal flow, office hours, and batch support.