Aaron Epstein | Y Combinator – On what makes great founders, the lessons of failure and focus, and building opportunity for others

Meet Aaron Epstein, partner at Y Combinator and co-founder of Creative Market. From building his first software as a teenager to selling his startup to Autodesk and later spinning it out again, Aaron’s story is one of curiosity, grit, and reinvention.

In this conversation, he and Daniel talk about what YC looks for in founders, why great founders matter more than great ideas, and the power of focus in building something lasting. Aaron also shares lessons on failure, fear, and why creating opportunity for others is the ultimate success.