The top 5 startups from Y Combinator Fellowship’s Virtual Demo Day

Pre-natal genetic testing, VR drones, and fracking nanoparticles were a few of the products featured in Y Combinator’s first Virtual Demo Day. They come from the YC Fellowship, a program designed to let the startup school help idea- or prototype-stage companies, beyond the full-fledged businesses in its main accelerator.

The 8-week full-time fellowship mostly offers remote guidance, plus $20,000 in funding in exchange for 1.5% equity. It allows Y Combinator to cast a larger net around young startups than it has time to give dedicated, hands-on attention. It could serve as a recruiting tool or funnel for its core program, plus let YC place even more bets internationally.

Here are write-ups of my favorites from the 25 startups in the Virtual Demo Day, plus quick looks at the rest: