Y Combinator Co-founder’s Girlfriend Demands 'Sweat Equity', Divides Internet

A Y Combinator member’s girlfriend has caused controversy online by requesting “sweat equity” in his firm. CC Gong stated in a post on social media platform X that she ensures her boyfriend Mihail Eric eats well, has fresh clothes and gets his hair trimmed as he works through the demanding curriculum of a Y Combinator programme. Saying that this is what she comes home to on Friday nights, Gong posted a picture of her partner curled up on the couch with his laptop open on the workspace in front of him.

Gong’s caption read, “I make sure that he’s fed, do his laundry, cut his hair. I give feedback, customer intros and encouragement. YC girlfriends should be granted sweat equity.”

Notably, Gong is no novice to the entrepreneur experience, having worked at multinational behemoths like Microsoft and Meta. She is a principal at Menlo Ventures and co-founder of Montage. According to Hindustan Times, she attended Stanford for her MBA after earning her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University. She then entered the corporate world, working for companies like Microsoft, Meta and Bain Capital Ventures.

Gong’s partner Mihail Eric is a co-founder of Storia AI, a firm that creates the AI tool Sage, which aids in the comprehension, analysis and creation of software by engineers.

On social media, Gong’s post requesting sweat equity in her founder-boyfriend’s AI firm has 2 million views but has caused a division of opinions among users. While many applauded and encouraged her for going above and beyond for her partner, others questioned why he was unable to look for himself.

A user commented, “Enjoy being his slave. If he has priorities straight he can manage not being a slob, and no you are not entitled to anything for volunteering yourself as a female slave.”

Another user said, “Every founder’s girlfriend should have some equity. They are your supporters from the first day!”

A third user said, “This is very disturbing. Even at the lowest points and through the hardest times in my life, I was very organized, from my body to my finances to the place I live in.”

Yet another user went on to say, “You 100% deserve a little sweat equity. Call it 1% per year.”

What is Y Combinator?

Y Combinator is a Silicon Valley-based startup accelerator that links early-stage companies with investors, mentors and seed money.