How can创业 teams outside the United States successfully apply to and integrate into YC?

Hey man, if you're thinking about applying to YC, location really isn't the biggest hurdle. I've seen several international teams get in; the key is whether you and your project are strong enough. Let me break it down for you, hoping it helps.

Before Applying: Polish Yourself Like a "Product"

YC invests in people and ideas, especially the "people." In their eyes, you and your team are the earliest product.

Solve a Real Problem: Don't chase flashy, "startup-for-startup's-sake" ideas. YC values most whether you're solving a pain point you deeply understand, or one you've observed a small group of people intensely need. Your market can be small initially, but the pain point must be significant.
Have a Prototype: Don't just stay at the PPT stage. Even if your product is rough and has only one core feature, it needs to be functional. This demonstrates your execution ability. A live, accessible link is worth a thousand words.
Find Your First Users: Figure out how to get 10, 50 seed users. Prove that people are willing to use your early product. If someone is willing to pay, even just one or two people, that's a huge bonus. YC partners will constantly ask you: "How are your metrics?" Without data, you're almost out of luck.
Team, Team, Team: Why are you the best people to solve this problem? Is your technical co-founder strong enough? Do you have great chemistry? YC places great importance on the founding team's background and chemistry. Ideally, you've known each other and worked together before.

Filling Out the Application: Tell a Story That Can Be Understood in One Minute

The application form is your first hurdle, so don't take it lightly.

Explain what you do in one sentence: This is the most challenging part. Practice using the format: "We are building (product) for (target users) to solve their (problem)." For example: "We are building a payment tool for independent developers, solving their hassle of handling global payments." Avoid industry jargon; speak plainly.
The video is crucial: For that one-minute founder introduction video, absolutely do not go for elaborate production; it's useless. YC just wants to see if you're normal people and if your communication is smooth. Find a quiet place and shoot it with your phone. Founders should take turns speaking, explaining who you are, what you do, and your current progress. Naturalness, confidence, and passion are most important.
Data is the best language: The application form has dedicated sections for you to fill in data, such as user count, growth rate, revenue, etc. Fill it out truthfully, even if the numbers are small. If you write, "We launched two weeks ago and have 20 users, 3 of whom are paying," that's far more compelling than writing, "Our future market is worth hundreds of billions."

Interview: The 10-Minute Extreme Challenge

If you get an interview, congratulations, you've already got one foot in the door. But this is also the most brutal part.

Quick Q&A, don't beat around the bush: YC interviews are only 10 minutes long, and partners will fire questions at you like a machine gun. Your answers must be direct and concise. If they ask, "How many users do you have?", just state the number directly. Don't explain, "We're still early stage, but the potential is huge..."
Understand your business and market: They will deep-dive into your business details. Who are your users? How do you acquire them? Why them and not others? Who are your competitors? What makes you better than them? You must know these answers inside out.
English communication skills: This is a hard requirement for international teams. You must be able to fluently communicate your ideas in English. If some founders aren't strong in English, let the fluent speaker lead, but others should still be able to understand and add to the discussion. Find a few friends, do mock interviews in English, and practice dozens of times.

Special Considerations for International Teams

Company Registration: Don't worry about this. Once YC decides to accept you, they have a standard process to help you (or rather, require you) register a C Corporation in Delaware, USA. This is their standard procedure; lawyers will guide you through everything, and you just need to follow along.
Visa and Relocation: YC expects you to be full-time in the Bay Area during the incubation period (3 months). They have a dedicated legal team to assist you with visa applications. All you need to do is be ready to pack up and move at any time. This attitude is crucial; it shows your determination.
Integrate into the Culture: Don't treat yourself as an outsider. Once you're in YC, you're part of the YC alumni network. Boldly interact with other teams, attend every Office Hour (one-on-one discussions with partners), and listen to every presentation. The person sitting next to you might be the next Airbnb. A large part of the value of these 3 months comes from this high-quality social circle.

To summarize:

For international teams, the biggest challenge isn't actually location, but rather mindset and communication. You need to think about your project within the Silicon Valley context (solving real problems, rapid iteration, data-driven) and express it in clear, direct English.

Don't overthink "what if I'm an international team?" First, ask yourself: "Is my product good enough? Is my team strong enough? Am I truly creating value?" If you get these things right, YC's doors will naturally open for you. Good luck!