TechCrunch names nine most talked-about startups from Y Combinator Demo Day
Lev Shevtsov13
September
2026
23:42
TechCrunch compiled a selection of nine startups from Y Combinator’s latest Demo Day that at least two venture investors named among the most talked-about. According to the publication’s sources, the current cohort is much more focused on deep tech than previous ones, while company valuations were more restrained than in recent batches.
The list includes Automarine, which plans to place data centers on ocean barges. The company expects to use seawater for cooling, launch a gas-powered pilot project by 2028, and transition to floating vessels powered by nuclear energy in 2032. The startup says it has more than $4 billion in customer interest formalized through letters of intent.
Computing and networks for AI
Dipole Labs is developing optical networking equipment for AI data centers. According to the company, its optical switch enables data transmission without converting light into electricity and back, which is expected to reduce energy consumption and heat generation.
Lamb Labs is working on specialized chips for AI inference, in which model weights are intended to be embedded directly in silicon. The company calls these devices Model Processing Units. Parasma is researching the possibility of training human brain cells for future use in computing as a more energy-efficient alternative to modern AI hardware.
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Robotics and defense development
Among robotics companies, investors highlighted Praxis AI, which collects video and other data on people performing work tasks to train robots. The startup says it works with publicly traded companies and has collected video data in more than 150 different environments.
Nori is developing a humanoid robot for household tasks, including cleaning and folding clothes. The company, launched six weeks ago, reported nearly $500,000 in sales; the robot costs about $1,600. Cosmic Robotics develops autonomous robots for lifting heavy objects and says its technology is already being used to install solar panels in the United States. The startup also says it has contracts worth $25 million through 2027.
Waddle Labs offers an API layer in which agents based on large language models generate code to control robots. The company says that after hardware is connected to its API, a developer will be able to give a robot commands in natural language, while the system will create and verify executable code.
The list also includes Isengard Industries, which aims to establish mass production of jet-powered strike and counter-drone systems directly in allied countries. One of the company’s co-founders previously grew a Ukraine-focused drone manufacturing startup to $60 million in revenue. Isengard says it already has $10 million in revenue.
