For Students & Volunteers

Code of Conduct

• Always show respect to peers, mentors, and speakers.
• Maintain punctuality in all workshops, summits, and volunteering duties.
• Participate actively in sessions and maintain a learning-first attitude.
• Avoid misuse of YC resources, content, or branding.
• Ensure data privacy and do not record or distribute sessions without permission.
• Adhere to YC’s anti-harassment and zero discrimination policy.

Conduct & Behavior

• Be respectful, curious, and coachable at all times.
• Avoid distractions (mobile use, side conversations) during sessions.
• Never misrepresent yourself or your contributions.

Dress Code

• Smart casuals or formal wear are preferred.
• Event T-shirts or ID badges must be worn when issued.
• Avoid flip-flops, distressed jeans, and inappropriate slogans.

Ethics & Essentials

• Maintain confidentiality on internal discussions.
• Always credit your team and mentors for contributions.
• Be accountable and honor all deadlines and volunteer duties.

Policy Guidelines

• Volunteers must attend pre-event briefings and follow assigned duties.
• Students must submit assignments/projects on time and maintain decorum.
• Violations may lead to suspension or removal from the YC program.

For Startups & Entrepreneurs

Code of Conduct

• Practice honesty and transparency in startup presentations and networking.
• Do not solicit investments during community events unless invited.
• Respect mentor time and engage with integrity in incubator/studio sessions.
• Contribute back by sharing learnings with juniors or student participants.
• Maintain confidentiality of case studies, startup ideas, or pitches.

Conduct & Behavior

• Maintain a collaborative and value-driven mindset.
• Respect mentor and peer feedback — YC is a learning-first space.
• Pitch only when appropriate — no unsolicited funding requests.

Dress Code

• Smart business casuals or startup casuals (blazer optional).
• Be presentable — you represent your brand and YC.

Ethics & Essentials

• Avoid plagiarism, inflated metrics, or unverified claims.
• Don’t misuse the YC network for personal gain.
• Share learnings with peers and juniors.

Policy Guidelines

• Participants must disclose any conflicts of interest prior to collaborations.
• YC reserves the right to remove or blacklist startups for unethical practices.
• Startups must credit YC support in pitch decks or accelerator materials if applicable.

For C-Level Executives

Code of Conduct

• Engage with students and founders as a mentor and role model.
• Avoid promotion of own ventures unless requested.
• Be inclusive and unbiased while selecting startups or mentees.
• Maintain professionalism in roundtables, panels, and podcast sessions.

Conduct & Behavior

• Be accessible, respectful, and lead by example.
• Avoid overpromising or bias during mentoring.
• Honor your scheduled speaking/mentoring slots.

Dress Code

• Formal or business attire recommended.
• Optional YC/Partner badges where applicable.

Ethics & Essentials

• Keep mentorship and advising neutral and unbiased.
• Avoid direct hiring or solicitation at events.
• Support diversity, inclusivity, and respectful dialogue.

Policy Guidelines

• All speakers/mentors must sign a Speaker Contribution Agreement.
• All session recordings or quotes may be used for YC promotional purposes, unless declined in writing.
• Executives are encouraged to commit a minimum mentorship engagement of 1 hour per quarter.

For Business Leaders / Founders / Delegates

Code of Conduct

• Maintain dignity and humility while engaging with participants.
• Avoid political or religious remarks during public addresses.
• Treat all attendees — regardless of level — with equal respect.
• Disclose affiliations or interests transparently before speaking or funding.

Conduct & Behavior

• Encourage cross-generation collaboration.
• Listen with empathy, speak with influence.
• Be punctual and prepared for sessions or panels.

Dress Code

• Formal/business wear expected for keynote or chief guest roles.
• Avoid flashy branding unless pre-approved.

Ethics & Essentials

• No political, religious, or controversial commentary.
• Declare potential conflicts of interest.
• Stay available post-event for brief networking or mentoring support.

Policy Guidelines

• Guests must comply with YC's media, brand, and content usage policy.
• Business Leaders contributing stories, capital, or strategic support must sign a Contribution Impact Charter.
• Unethical behavior or misuse of platform access may lead to public revocation of privileges.

Common Expectations Across All Participants

Zero Tolerance Policy

• No bullying, harassment, or discrimination.
• All voices, regardless of age or background, deserve respect.

Confidentiality & IP Respect

• Ideas, startups, or case studies shared are to be treated as confidential unless explicitly open-sourced.

Photography, Media & Branding Use

• YC events may be recorded. Entry implies consent for use in photos/videos unless specified in writing.

Feedback & Continuous Improvement

• Attendees are encouraged to provide feedback constructively to help YC evolve its experiences.

Violation & Dispute Handling

• Any breach will be reviewed by the YC Ethics Committee. Disciplinary action may include removal, blacklisting, or legal redress.

Common Across All Roles

Ethics

• Practice honesty, transparency, and professionalism.
• Respect others’ time, space, ideas, and privacy.
• Always ask permission before sharing any proprietary content.

Dress Code Essentials

• Clean, presentable, and event-appropriate attire.
• Badges and IDs must be visible.
• Avoid offensive prints, slogans, or overly casual wear at professional settings.

Communication Guidelines

• Use respectful and inclusive language.
• Avoid interrupting or dominating discussions.
• Listen as much as you speak.

Misconduct & Disciplinary Action

• Breaches of this code may lead to:
• Immediate removal from event
• Suspension of membership
• Public revocation of privileges
• Blacklisting from future YC activities

Media & Recording Policy

• By attending, you consent to being photographed or recorded.