Y Combinator

Storyboarder is a platform that enables users to create, buy, and sell webcomics. It offers tools for developing fully rigged characters with an extensive library of preset poses, creating 3D scenes, and handling shot composition.

Argo is a streaming platform that enables creators and fans to collaborate around content. Creators can distribute material, launch subscription channels, sell digital goods, and participate in revenue sharing and royalties across platforms, while fans help curate and promote content. The platform uses a Web3-based approach to transparent revenue sharing and cross-platform royalties. It focuses on independent storytelling by curating short films and television content and provides personalized recommendations by connecting users, following influencers, film festivals, and filmmakers. Argo monetizes content worldwide on a revenue-share basis, helping creators generate revenue beyond traditional channels and enabling audiences to discover quality content through tailored suggestions.

Filta is a digital merchandise platform that enables users to buy and sell limited-edition face filter NFTs associated with their favorite creators. Founded in 2020 and based in San Francisco, the platform allows artists, including vloggers, streamers, musicians, and independent creators, to design and publish their own face filters. These digital assets can be worn and shared across various social media platforms, providing a novel way for creators to engage with their audience and monetize their unique digital merchandise.

Founded in late 2020 by Vikas Reddy and based in Boulder, Colorado, LightTwist is a visual effects lab that empowers developers and creatives to generate high-resolution video and image assets. Its platform combines reality with immersive 3D environments, enabling users to create diverse content ranging from lifestyle product shoots to sci-fi films, all remotely.

Artifact Company, Inc. is a San Francisco-based business that specializes in creating personal podcasts for users. Founded in 2019, the company offers an online platform where users can connect with professional interviewers to capture and preserve memories with friends and family. Artifact streamlines the process by handling scheduling and hosting interviews, and it provides users with a polished, edited podcast as the final product. This service is designed to help individuals document and share significant life stories in an engaging format.

Art In Res operates an online marketplace for original artworks by independent artists, offering a curated selection and affordable pieces. It supports flexible payment options, including installments, helping buyers acquire art in a way that fits their finances. Founded in 2017 and based in New York, Art In Res aims to empower artists, make art more accessible, move works out of storage and into the world, and foster meaningful connections between artists and collectors. The platform also features a taste quiz to help buyers assess their preferences and guide purchases.

The Custom Movement is an online platform based in Palo Alto, California, that facilitates the sale of unique sneaker designs created by independent artists. Founded in 2000, the company aims to democratize custom sneaker ownership by allowing consumers to purchase one-of-a-kind footwear. Customers can browse a diverse selection of artistic shoes by filtering options based on shoe brand, style, artist, or price. This approach not only supports independent creators but also provides buyers with access to exclusive and creative sneaker designs.

Museum of Future Experiences is a media company that operates a virtual reality stimulation museum, providing high-end immersive experiences. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in New York, the company specializes in crafting and distributing multi-sensory theater services. Through its offerings, customers are able to explore diverse environments via cerebral exploration, which includes individual analysis, audio-visual stimulation, and virtual reality experiences. The focus on immersive technology positions the Museum of Future Experiences as a unique player in the realm of experiential entertainment.

Spellbrush is an illustration platform that focuses on enhancing the efficiency of artists, illustrators, and animators by streamlining the creative process. By leveraging advanced technology, Spellbrush reduces the manual labor involved in shading, rendering, and coloring, allowing creators to complete projects more swiftly. The company specializes in developing AI-based games, particularly in the anime genre, and aims to provide a high-quality entertainment experience through visual arts.

The Artist Union enables musicians through technology.

Arthena is a financial technology company that uses quantitative strategies to acquire assets. It aims to bring transparency to art investing by enabling investors to view and learn about acquired assets and artists.

Sywork is a livestreaming platform specifically designed for illustrators and digital artists. It enables users to broadcast their creative processes in real-time, allowing them to showcase their work to a wider audience. The platform not only facilitates the sharing of artistic skills but also provides monetization opportunities for artists, helping them generate income from their craft. By focusing on the unique needs of the digital art community, Sywork positions itself as a valuable tool for artists looking to engage with fans and peers while promoting their artistry.

Level Frames is an online retailer that specializes in custom framing solutions for posters, prints, and photos. Founded in 2014 and based in Brooklyn, NY, the company streamlines the framing process by allowing customers to customize their frames through an intuitive online platform. This service facilitates the easy conversion of digital images into framed art, providing a convenient and affordable alternative to traditional framing methods. With quick delivery directly to customers' doorsteps, Level Frames caters to both individual customers and artists, enabling them to showcase their artwork in museum-quality frames.

imgfave is an online image sharing platform that enables users to discover, collect, and share visual inspirations. The platform allows individuals to curate their favorite images into thematic collections, encompassing categories such as humor, art, photography, and fashion. By facilitating the organization and sharing of personal visual content, imgfave serves as a creative space for users to explore and engage with diverse artistic expressions.

everyArt allows you to commission an art piece from a diverse portfolio of artists on the web, all excited to collaborate with you on your masterpiece. Take a walk through the EveryArt gallery and start the conversation that will lead to the piece you’ll be showing off for the rest of your life.

Jellyfish Art makes jellyfish aquariums and supplies them with live jellyfish and accessories. Jellyfish are a new trend in personal aquariums. They require specialized tanks with water flow patterns that keep the jellyfish suspended in the middle of the tank away from filtration intakes. They also require specialized food made from frozen plankton. Jellyfish Art sells everything needed to keep jellyfish in a personal aquarium, including the live jellyfish, which can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. via overnight express delivery. The company sells all of its products through its website and ships from a warehouse located in San Francisco, CA. It is the flagship site of [AnyVivo](/organization/anyvivo).

Instapainting turns any photo (from your phone, Facebook, Instagram, DSLR, the internet) into a hand-painted oil painting on real canvas, for $45 (for 10"x10"), and delivered in less than two weeks. The company is backed by Y Combinator and Start Fund (SV Angel and Yuri Milner). Customers include founder and CEO of Pebble Technology, Eric Migicovsky, and founder and CEO of Apportable, Inc., Collin Jackson.

Chirply, Inc. operates a web-based platform that fosters a community of artists and design enthusiasts, allowing users to submit and curate artwork. Founded in 2010 and based in San Francisco, California, the company initially focused on creating a marketplace for crowd-sourced designs for paper goods, such as greeting cards and notebooks. Over time, Chirply expanded its offerings to include a business-to-business platform, enabling brands to leverage crowd-sourced designs to enhance user engagement and create visually inspiring products. By utilizing a crowdsourced design model, Chirply aims to disrupt traditional design processes and provide a space for creativity and collaboration in product development.

Brushes is a painting application designed from scratch for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Featuring an advanced color picker, several realistic brushes, multiple layers, extreme zooming, and a simple yet deep interface, it is a powerful tool for creating original artwork on your mobile device.

Habit Industries is currently pursuing the online animation space with Fuzzwich and has previously launched Minivid, a simple, playful animator. Habit Industries was founded in June 2007 with seed funding from YCombinator. The team has backgrounds in animation, new media promotions, video games, graphic design, and film production.