Latest news with #Bookface
Business Insider
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
YC founders are getting younger and feeling the pressure
Y Combinator founders are getting younger and are expected to move faster than ever because of AI, recent participants told Business Insider. Each tenet of the startup incubator's latest requests for startups described companies with AI at their core, and roughly 70 of the 143 startups in the spring batch were focused on agentic AI. AI is "deep within YC," one founder who recently completed the program and asked not to be identified to speak freely told Business Insider. Cohorts are dominated by AI companies, and the accelerator's internal Bookface platform is increasingly recommending AI tools for founders, they said. Akash Sharma, the CEO of AI startup Vellum, who was part of the Winter 2023 class, said YC has incorporated helpful AI tools into its Work at a Startup recruitment platform, including candidate matching and personalized outreach text. Mentors within the program encourage founders to use AI in their workflows and automate rather than hire to keep teams lean, said Cekura founder Sidhant Kabra, who participated in the Fall 2024 cohort. Participants also get early access to beta AI tools from tech giants, such as OpenAI, he said. The startup world's AI obsession is hardly exclusive to YC, but it's accelerated the program's cadence, some participants said. In expediting every step in the startup pipeline from vibe coding to R&D to marketing, AI has also ratcheted up expectations that founders should have fully realized products or more customers with bigger contracts by Demo Day, Kabra said. YC CEO Garry Tan told CNBC earlier this year that revenue for YC batches was growing at an average of 10% week-over-week. In the past, a founder might be pre-product market fit or have a few users or design partners, Kabra said. Now, "within three months, you're able to close enterprise contracts over $100k," he said. "That's a big change." Increasingly younger cohorts Expectations are climbing as the program has become shorter, the first founder who recently completed the program told Business Insider. YC pivoted from a biannual to a quarterly schedule last fall — a move CEO Garry Tan told Bloomberg at the time would result in smaller batches and additional Demo Days. Founders spoke glowingly of YC, calling the experience transformative, but the pace can have drawbacks. In optimizing for Demo Day, some participants may not always be making the best long-term decisions for their companies, Kabra said, such as signing lots of customers too fast or ones at a discounted rate. "If you weren't in YC, you would make different choices," the first founder told Business Insider, saying Demo Day serves as a proof-of-concept. "After Demo Day, there's a classic YC slump — and then you readjust and start building for the long term." "AI is enabling founders to move faster, and we're here to help them harness that momentum not just for Demo Day, but to build enduring, world-changing companies," a YC spokesperson told Business Insider. The AI boom has also resulted in increasingly younger cohorts. YC General Partner Pete Koomen told The New York Times that the median age of YC participants was 24, down from 30 in 2022. Venture capitalist Gabriel Jarrosson wrote on LinkedIn that the number of accepted applicants between ages 18 and 22 was up 110% year-over-year. Younger entrepreneurs are less entrenched in their ideas and have grown up with AI, founders told Business Insider. YC is "actively encouraging younger people to come into the fold," Sharma said. He added that YC's public-facing recruitment materials emphasize being a builder above all else. "All you need to do is be able to build good products, and YC will take care of the rest." Ultimately, the saturation of AI companies within YC has sparked criticism that many of its startups are similar. "You hear the phrase AI agent so much and you're like, my mind is going insane," the first founder said. But the competition is motivating, Kabra said, given that execution is paramount and consolidation amid the AI gold rush is inevitable. While many of its startups "may explore similar areas," the YC spokesperson said, that "encourages open-source progress, which in turn, enriches the competitive landscape, gives consumers more choice, and reflects our abundance-oriented view of the future."
Scotsman
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Thriller Queen Shari Lapena comes to Glasgow for Bookface Sip & Swap
Shari Lapena, the #1 internationally bestselling author of The Couple Next Door, is coming to Glasgow for a special Bookface Sip & Swap event. Taking place on Thursday, September 11 at Saints of Ingram from 5.30pm to 8pm, the evening promises lively conversation, great company and the chance to hear from one of the world's most successful thriller writers. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Lapena is the author of a plethora of suspense novels including A Stranger in the House, Someone We Know, Not a Happy Family and her latest, What Have You Done?. Her debut, The Couple Next Door, was a runaway global bestseller, selling 4 million copies worldwide. It was WHSmith's 'Book of the Year' in 2016 and the top-selling adult fiction title in the UK in 2017. Since then, all of her books have been bestsellers in the UK, US and Canada, with four selected for the Richard & Judy Book Club and film and TV deals in the works. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Originally a lawyer and English teacher, Shari now writes full time from a farm in Ontario, where she lives with her husband. She says she writes books you shouldn't be able to put down – and her readers agree. Bookface Sip & Swap Guests will enjoy two complimentary drinks (fizz or soft) on arrival, followed by a Q&A with Shari, hosted by Bookface founder Heather Suttie. There's also the popular Bookface book swap, with 300 titles to browse. Guests are encouraged to bring up to four books to exchange, but it's not essential – we know many prefer Kindle or audiobooks. Bookface Sip & Swap events are known for their friendly, informal atmosphere and sell out every month. They're a chance for readers and aspiring writers to meet bestselling authors, ask questions, and enjoy a relaxed evening with fellow book lovers. Previous guest authors include Lisa Jewell, Claire Douglas, Jenny Colgan, Alan Parks, Davinia Taylor, Sophie Gravia, Nikki May, Susannah Constantine, Heather Morris and Val McDermid.
Scotsman
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
John Niven at the Bookface Sip & Swap
Bestselling author John Niven will be the guest author at Bookface's next Sip & Swap event on Saturday, September 27 at Saints of Ingram in Glasgow from 3–6pm. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Niven, who previously visited Bookface with his bestselling memoir O Brother, returns to talk about his new novel The Fathers. The book is a sharp, darkly funny look at fatherhood, masculinity and class, told through the story of two men who meet outside a Glasgow maternity ward – one a successful screenwriter, the other a small-time criminal. It's a return to fiction for Niven, and a reminder of his talent for writing stories that are unpredictable, biting, and impossible to categorise. Originally from Irvine, Ayrshire, Niven studied English Literature at the University of Glasgow and graduated with first-class honours. He spent a decade working in the music industry before becoming a full-time writer. His breakout novel Kill Your Friends – a savage satire of his time in A&R – became a cult hit and bestseller in 2008. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His other novels include The Amateurs, Cold Hands, Straight White Male and The Sunshine Cruise Company. He is also an accomplished screenwriter and prolific journalist, with a sharp, fearless voice that's earned him a loyal following across film, print and broadcast. John Niven Bookface's Sip & Swap events offer an afternoon of relaxed book chat, an author Q&A, and the opportunity to meet other readers. Guests are invited to bring up to four books to swap from a selection of over 300 titles. Taking part in the swap is optional – many attendees prefer Kindle or audiobooks. Bookface is a private online community of 5,000 book lovers. Previous guest authors at the monthly sell-out events include Lisa Jewell, Val McDermid, Chris Brookmyre, Alan Parks, Davinia Taylor, Susannah Constantine, Fran Littlewood, Heather Morris and more. Bookface Sip & Swap with John Niven on Saturday, September 27, 3pm–6pm at Saints of Ingram, Glasgow.
Glasgow Times
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Bestselling author Adele Parks to appear at Glasgow events
Adele Parks MBE will appear in Glasgow to launch her latest novel Our Beautiful Mess at two Bookface Sip & Swap events on Sunday, August 31. The first event will take place at Glaschu from 9.30am to 12.30pm, followed by a second at Saints of Ingram from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Read more: New bookshop with cheese and wine bar opens its doors Adele already has 24 bestselling novels behind her, with more than six million copies sold in English and translations available in 31 languages. In 2022, she was awarded an MBE in recognition of her services to literature. Our Beautiful Mess is described as "an emotional, high-stakes family drama packed with twists and long-held secrets." The story, which will be published on August 28, follows Connie, a woman who has built a seemingly perfect life, only to see it threatened by a mistake from her past. Fellow author Lisa Jewell praised the book, saying: "Adele Parks consistently writes banger after banger, and Our Beautiful Mess might just be her best yet. "Addictive and brilliant." During the Glasgow book launch events, guests will have the chance to meet Ms Parks, enjoy a 45-minute interview, ask questions, and purchase a signed copy of the new book. These events will also feature the popular Bookface book swap, offering more than 300 titles for guests to choose from. Attendees are encouraged to bring up to four books to swap, though it is not a requirement. Adele said: "I'm so excited to be coming to Glasgow. "The city oozes fabulous, joyful readers. "There's a real passion for reading – and for having loads of fun. "Bookface events allow for both brilliant things. "I can't wait to come and talk about my brand-new release Our Beautiful Mess." Bookface is an online community with 5000 members worldwide. Its events are considered a regular highlight for readers and aspiring writers, providing a space to connect with authors and fellow book lovers. Read more: New tournament invites Glasgow footballers to raise funds for a good cause Founded in 2020, it brings readers together to discuss books, share recommendations, and hear directly from successful writers. Past guests at Bookface events have included Lisa Jewell, Val McDermid, Davinia Taylor, John Niven, Chris Brookmyre, Fran Littlewood, Heather Morris, Alan Parks, Nikki May, and Susannah Constantine. Tickets for the Glasgow events are limited and available through Eventbrite.
Glasgow Times
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Book lovers invited to unique fundraising event in Glasgow
A Bookface Sip & Swap will take place on Saturday, October 25, at Saints of Ingram in Glasgow, from 3pm to 6pm. This gathering is set to offer a relaxed afternoon of book swapping, drinking, and fundraising for the Beatson Cancer Charity. The event will put the spotlight on Elephant, a new book by Dr Gillian Shirreffs, which provides a humorous take on topics like grief, friendship, and survival. Read more: 'We were blown away by the response': Book swap event helps displaced people Following her bestselling debut Brodie, Dr Shirreff draws from her own experiences with illness in her new book Elephant, which has already received praise for its unique and honest style. The event is particularly personal for Dr Shirreffs, who was treated for breast cancer at Beatson Cancer Charity. It is organised by Heather Suttie, a broadcaster and the founder of Bookface. Tickets for the event include two drinks, and there will be a luxury raffle to raise funds for Beatson. They can be purchased online at Read more: Iconic Glasgow museum named among the world's best Attendees are encouraged to bring along up to four high-quality books for swapping, with any leftover books to be donated to charity. The event is part of the larger Bookface community, an online and in-person space for readers across Scotland. With more than 5000 members, the community offers an opportunity for readers to discover new authors and connect with fellow book enthusiasts.
