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Hardware

What we learned from Hardware YC applications

Aggregate insights from real applications roasted on YC Roaster — the patterns YC partners look for, and the weaknesses that come up over and over.

Apps analyzed

7

Average score

3.46 /5

Updated

Jun 15, 2026

Score breakdown — Hardware average

App Completeness4.21/5
Early Traction2.51/5
Team Quality3.99/5
Market3.73/5
GTM2.67/5
Scalability3.89/5
Monetization3.20/5

Biggest weaknesses

Where Hardware applications consistently fall short.

  • 1. Early Traction2.51/5
  • 2. GTM2.67/5
  • 3. Monetization3.20/5

Strongest dimensions

Where Hardware applications tend to do well.

  • 1. App Completeness4.21/5
  • 2. Team Quality3.99/5
  • 3. Scalability3.89/5

Score distribution

0-1
0
1-2
0
2-3
1
3-4
5
4-5
1

What our AI judge actually said

Anonymized critique from real Hardware applications (shared with founder consent).

“Zero LOIs, zero pilots, zero revenue, and 4 months from first print, all bet on two founders building complex hardware before capital runs out.”

7.9/10·Exceptional founders with rare domain fit, but pre-product execution risk is massive until they prove the prototype works and convert one customer meeting into money.

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