Clear YC Application
Clear went through Y Combinator in the Winter 2021 batch as a Consumer company. Below: what the company does, who founded it, and its application to YC, reconstructed question by question in the real YC form.
- YC batch
- Winter 2021
- Industry
- ConsumerSocial
- Team size
- 2
- Status
- Active
- Launched
- 2021
Founders
Ahana BanerjeeFounder
What Clear does
On the surface, Clear is a free mobile app where consumers track routines, products and selfies, get brand-agnostic recommendations, and learn from others in the community. Underneath, we’re building a vertically focused AI/data platform that helps consumers, clinicians, and brands understand what actually works, for whom, and why. The skincare industry is worth over $200B globally, yet it still runs largely on guesswork: consumers waste money on trial-and-error, brands lack real-world evidence, and dermatologists have limited visibility into day-to-day product use and outcomes. Clear is brand-agnostic, data-rich, and community-driven. Every routine log, product review, and progress update helps create a unique longitudinal dataset across skin concerns, routines, and outcomes - powering better decisions for users and better innovation for the wider industry. We were the 2022 L’Oréal Beauty Tech for Good winners, have been recognised by Beiersdorf, and have been featured multiple times by Apple, including App of the Day and Best New Apps.
Clear's YC application, reconstructed
Y Combinator application
Clear, Winter 2021 batch. The real form questions, answered from public data.
- Founders2
- Company7
- Progress7
- Idea4
- Equity3
- Curious2
- Batch Preference1
Company
Clear
The unbiased AI and data layer for skin health
We built a mobile app where users track skincare routines, products, and selfies, and get brand-agnostic recommendations. Behind the scenes, we create a data platform that uses AI to identify what actually works for skin health, helping consumers, clinicians, and brands make better decisions.
We live in London and the company is currently remote. After YC, we plan to remain flexible but continue operating primarily remotely with a London base.
We're based in London where both founders live. Remote work suits the early-stage team size and lets us tap talent without relocation. YC offers the network and funding we need to grow from here.
21 more answers in the full application
Founders, Progress, Idea, Equity, Curious, Batch Preference are in the full version. Create a free account to open it in YC Insights, next to every other YC batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the real Clear YC application?
No. Y Combinator keeps submitted applications private. This is a reconstruction: the real YC form questions, answered from Clear's public data (launch notes, founder backgrounds, product description). It shows how a company like Clear would present itself to YC, not the text they submitted.
What YC batch was Clear in?
Clear was part of the Y Combinator Winter 2021 batch.
Who founded Clear?
Clear was founded by Ahana Banerjee.
What does Clear do?
The unbiased AI and data layer for skin health.
How do I read the full reconstructed application?
Create a free Round Funded account. The full 26-answer version of Clear's application, and every other YC batch, is in YC Insights.
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