The internet is divided by the startup founder’s girlfriend over his request for “sweat equity” in his AI startup.
When a Y Combinator founder’s girlfriend demanded “sweat equity” in his startup, it caused a rift on the internet. CC Gong stated in a post on the social media site X that she makes sure her boyfriend Mihail Eric eats well, has clean clothes, and gets his hair cut while he works through the demanding curriculum of a Y Combinator program.
Y Combinator (YC) is a Silicon Valley-based startup accelerator that links early-stage companies with investors, mentors, and seed money. A typical batch at Y Combinator is good for three months. During this time, a limited number of startups are chosen to participate in one-on-one mentorship sessions with YC partners, network with accomplished business owners, attend workshops and demonstrations, etc. The curriculum is renowned for being demanding and intense.
A picture of her boyfriend, stretched out on the couch with his laptop open on the table in front of him, was posted by Gong. This is what I find when I get home on Friday nights; my boyfriend is in YC. I see to it that he eats, does his laundry, and gets his hair cut. I offer encouragement, customer introductions, and feedback. Sweat equity should be given to YC girlfriends, the author wrote.
Gong, a principal at Menlo Ventures and a co-founder of Montage, has experience as a founder having worked at multinational behemoths such as Microsoft and Meta. After graduating from Stanford University’s MBA program and the Ivy League Harvard University for her undergraduate degree, she entered the corporate world, working for companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Bain Capital Ventures.
Her partner Mihail Eric is a co-founder of Storia AI, a startup creating the AI tool Sage, which aids in the comprehension, analysis, and creation of software by developers.
A divisive post
Social media users are divided over Gong’s post requesting sweat equity in her founder-boyfriend’s AI startup. While many applauded and encouraged her for going above and beyond for her boyfriend, others questioned why he was unable to look after himself.
In addition to hundreds of comments and over two million views, her post has drawn some interest from venture capitalists.
“No one took care of my laundry, cut my hair, or made sure I was fed while I was in YC. One YC founder questioned, “Can we move past a narrative that normalizes women as invisible emotional labor sidekicks to men’s visible professional successes?”
“I was supposedly supposed to be empowering for women, but I have wondered, still wonder, who or what is behind great women,” another X user wrote. “I was literally in fourth grade the first time I heard something like ‘behind every great man there’s a great woman behind him.”
“Dating a startup founder is the only thing more difficult than being one. It’s not something to be taken lightly! X user Ariel stated.
Denis Mars said, “The real heroes are YC founders’ life partners.”
