Y Combinator's Political Action Committee Backs 66 Campaigns
Startup accelerator Y Combinator has established a Political Action Committee (PAC) that has supported 66 campaign committees in the 2026 election cycle. The committee has raised and spent funds, largely directed towards candidates involved in technology policy.
Y Combinator, the incubator behind companies such as Airbnb, Stripe, and DoorDash, is now engaging in political funding. The organization's political action committee, named Little Tech PAC, has contributed to 66 federal campaign committees during the 2026 election cycle.
The Little Tech PAC registered with the Federal Election Commission in December 2025. As of November 2026, the PAC had raised approximately $200,000 from 40 contributions and spent about $117,600. The funds primarily originated from Y Combinator employees, executives, and their partners. Several senior YC personnel donated the maximum annual amount of $5,000 in both 2025 and 2026.
Recipients span the political spectrum. On the left, the PAC has supported Representatives Lateefah Simon of California and Pramila Jayapal of Washington. On the right, it has backed Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Josh Hawley of Missouri, and formerly Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina. Many recipients focus on technology and defense policy, including Representatives Adam Smith of Washington and Mike Rogers of Alabama.
The majority of the funds have been allocated to incumbent candidates seeking reelection. While the establishment of a PAC by a startup accelerator may seem unusual, Y Combinator is employing a long-standing strategy in Washington for companies seeking to influence technology policy.