Graduating into the toughest entry-level job market in five years, the class of 2025 is increasingly turning to AI tools to assist them during live job interviews. In response, a growing number of startups are developing and marketing services that enable candidates to use AI in real time. Opinions differ on whether this practice is an innovative edge or a form of cheating.

We asked nearly a dozen venture capitalists to share which startups from Y Combinator's W26 batch are generating the most buzz among investors.

Founders who face burnout aren't necessarily those putting in the most hours; often, it's those grappling with deep isolation.

Growth-stage companies often default to hiring from familiar Silicon Valley networks, but truly diverse teams require intentional commitment starting from the very first hire. Founders need to embed this value early on to foster inclusivity within their organization.

OpenAI has acquired TBPN, a Silicon Valley tech podcast celebrated for its engaging founder-led business talks. Despite the acquisition, TBPN will continue to operate with editorial independence, now under the guidance of chief political operative Chris Lehane.

A solo entrepreneur leveraged AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to handle coding, customer support, and grow a telehealth startup without a traditional team.

Sal Sferlazza has a knack for building companies that attract acquisitions. Before founding NinjaOne, he successfully sold four startups one after another: a gaming studio to NCSoft, a data-protection company to SonicWall, a network management firm to Quest Software, and a file-sync service to eFolder. Each venture addressed a specific IT challenge and paved the way for NinjaOne’s mission to consolidate IT operations seamlessly.

Your constant declarations of AI expertise? They're more of a hindrance than a help. For those genuinely invested in entrepreneurship, there's so much more to consider than just knowing AI. Let others grow and learn without unsolicited criticism or condescension. This message comes from a place of wanting real progress and respect in conversations about technology and business.

If your business feels stagnant, the first step is self-reflection—how you lead shapes everything.

Work-life balance isn't a fixed goal but an ongoing process of adjustment and compromise.