Y Combinator Summer Fellows Conclude Program with Research Demos and Celebratory Poker

San Francisco, CA – Y Combinator's Summer Fellows Grants program for college students recently culminated with a demo day showcasing the research projects undertaken by participants throughout the summer. The event, held on August 22, 2025, marked the end of an intensive period of innovation and development for the young technical talent. Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan was present, observing the presentations and participating in a casual poker game that followed.

The Summer Fellows Grants program provides undergraduate computer science and engineering students with a $20,000 cash grant and significant cloud computing credits to pursue independent technical projects, often with a focus on artificial intelligence. Designed as an alternative to traditional internships, the initiative encourages students to push the boundaries of their programming abilities and intellectual curiosity. Participants also benefited from co-working sessions at YC's San Francisco office and access to the broader YC network.

The demo day served as a platform for the fellows to present their completed research, highlighting the practical applications and potential impact of their work. This showcase is a key component of the program, allowing participants to share their achievements and gain exposure for their innovative solutions developed over the summer. The program emphasizes building and experimentation, rather than immediate commercial viability.

Following the formal presentations, a more relaxed atmosphere prevailed, as noted by Garry Tan in a social media post. Tan stated, "We capped off the end of the YC Fellows summer with a demo of everyone’s research for the summer and then poker where YC visiting partner @aroraharshita33 proceeded to win 6 hands in a row LOL." Harshita Arora, a YC visiting partner with a background in tech and co-founder of AtoB, demonstrated a notable winning streak in the friendly poker competition, adding a lighthearted close to the program.

The conclusion of the Summer Fellows Grants program underscores Y Combinator's commitment to fostering early-stage technical talent and supporting the next generation of innovators in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. The combination of rigorous project work and community-building events aims to provide a comprehensive and impactful experience for the fellows.