LIVE @ YC Demo Day | Nate Bosshard, Joshua Reeves, Joshua Browder, Burkay Gur, Theo Browne & MORE

Overview

This episode captures the energy and innovation of YC Demo Day 2025, featuring a diverse range of startups across industries like AI, hardware, fintech, and creative tools. Founders shared their unique approaches to solving problems, from building AI-native browsers to creating missile systems for drone defense. The episode also highlighted the evolving role of AI as a foundational technology, with startups focusing on practical applications and traction.

Notable Quotes

- We want to reindustrialize the metal service industry. - Zane, on the mission of NOX METALS.

- AI is table stakes. If your only thing is AI, get a post out there. - Jack Raines, on the importance of substance beyond AI.

- We want to become the world's first class-action AI law firm. - Sion, on Kalinda's ambitious vision.

🛠️ AI as Infrastructure

- Many startups are leveraging AI as a tool rather than a standalone product.

- Kernel is building cloud-based browsers for AI agents, enabling automations in industries like healthcare and fintech.

- AgentMail provides email infrastructure specifically for AI agents, addressing a gap in agentic workflows.

- VibeFlow combines no-code tools with deterministic AI to build production-ready apps, solving the vibe coding problem.

🚀 Hardware and Industrial Innovation

- NOX METALS aims to modernize the U.S. metal service industry by cutting inefficiencies and reducing reliance on imports.

- Perseus Defense is developing cost-effective missiles to counter drones, filling a gap between short-range and expensive long-range solutions.

- Juxta offers a GPS alternative using simulated environments and IMU sensors, targeting logistics and defense sectors.

🎨 Creative Tools and Consumer AI

- Riff is a music production tool that integrates AI to generate sounds and melodies, democratizing music creation for non-producers.

- Meteor is an AI-native browser designed to automate repetitive web tasks, positioning itself as a Chrome alternative.

- The Prompting Company optimizes websites for generative AI, creating markdown-based shadow sites to improve AI comprehension.

⚖️ Legal and Fintech Disruption

- Kalinda provides deep research tools for class-action law firms, with ambitions to become a full-stack AI law firm.

- EffiGov is building AI-powered 311 systems for local governments, offering 24/7 call center services to improve citizen engagement.

- Veritus Agent uses AI to streamline consumer lending processes, from sales to collections, targeting fintechs and banks.