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Startups14,448Programs29

14,448 startups · 29 programs

Cenote

Active · AI agents for conversational commerce

WebsiteYC profile

Why it ranks

How the rank works
7signal of 100 · rising 4
  • went through YCProgram · this site+4
  • team of 2Team size · YC's directory+2.5

A sum of public facts, not a judgement and not investment advice.

Competitors

OtherAcquiredWingmanShared: inside sales, sales reps, callYC S19BengaluruStartup →AIValleyShared: intent lead, high intent, callAntler 2022USStartup →OtherAcquiredRiograndeShared: d2c brand, e-commerce, buyYC S20Mexico CityStartup →OtherArrowShared: d2c brand, e-commerce, shopperYC S21SingaporeStartup →AIKinectShared: d2c brand, e-commerce, shopperYC X26San FranciscoStartup →
Companies closest to Cenote
Company
WingmanShared: inside sales, sales reps, callYC S19AcquiredOther
ValleyShared: intent lead, high intent, callAntler 2022Not statedAI
RiograndeShared: d2c brand, e-commerce, buyYC S20AcquiredOther
ArrowShared: d2c brand, e-commerce, shopperYC S21ActiveOther
KinectShared: d2c brand, e-commerce, shopperYC X26ActiveAI

Adjacent

Developer toolsJoinedappShared: conversational commerce, textPlug and PlayUnited StatesStartup →AICOACHShared: sales reps, close, thoseYC S26San FranciscoStartup →AIDistroShared: inside sales, sales repsYC S24San FranciscoStartup →OtherCanopy (was Encarte)Shared: online store, e-commerce, checkoutYC W19San FranciscoStartup →OtherTalkableShared: online store, e-commerce, purchaseYC W11San FranciscoStartup →
Companies next to Cenote
Company
JoinedappShared: conversational commerce, textPlug and Play +1Not statedDevtools
COACHShared: sales reps, close, thoseYC S26ActiveAI
DistroShared: inside sales, sales repsYC S24ActiveAI
Canopy (was Encarte)Shared: online store, e-commerce, checkoutYC W19 +1ActiveOther
TalkableShared: online store, e-commerce, purchaseYC W11 +1ActiveOther

Also from W25 in AI

All of W25
AIG LNKSimplifying Collaboration for Healthcare Organizations & ProfessionalsYC W25New York CityStartup →AIParatus Healthhealthcare AIYC W25New York CityStartup →AIWildcardAEO/GEO for E-Commerce and RetailYC W25San FranciscoStartup →AI.WaveInference for real-time AIYC W25ParisStartup →AI10xAI Sales Teams for Dental PracticesYC W25San FranciscoStartup →AIa0.devWe make mobile apps using AI.YC W25San FranciscoStartup →
Company
G LNKSimplifying Collaboration for Healthcare Organizations & Professionalsteam of 2ActiveAI
Paratus Healthhealthcare AIteam of 4ActiveAI
WildcardAEO/GEO for E-Commerce and RetailhiringActiveAI, Devtools
.WaveInference for real-time AIteam of 2ActiveAI, Devtools
10xAI Sales Teams for Dental Practicesteam of 3hiringActiveAI, Data
a0.devWe make mobile apps using AI.team of 3hiringActiveAI, Devtools

Founders

  • Kofi AnsongFounder/CEO
  • Kristy GaoFounder/CTO

About Cenote

Cenote helps online D2C brands convert more shoppers through AI sales reps that can call and text. Online stores rely on static websites, one-way email and SMS campaigns, and inside sales teams with limited availability. But many purchases are better suited to a conversation: shoppers have questions, need guidance, or simply are not excited to buy based on what's on the site alone. Today, those shoppers are poorly served. Abandoned-checkout campaigns are generic, call centers close, and slow human follow-up allows high-intent leads to go cold. Our customers often see conversion rates below 1% from traditional abandoned-checkout outreach. Cenote's AI reps reach shoppers immediately, remember their context, and continue the conversation across channels and over time. This gives every interested shopper access to a personalized sales rep and helps brands recover revenue from leads they have already paid to acquire.

YC batch
W25 · Winter 2025
Status, per YC
Active
Category
AI
Team size
2
Location
San Francisco, CA, USA
Founded
2024
Checked
7h ago

YC tags: B2B, Digital Health, E-commerce, AI

Cenote in W25: 166 companies, 84% AI

LinkedIn

Cenote: questions

Which YC batch was Cenote in?

Cenote was in Y Combinator's Winter 2025 batch (W25).

Is Cenote still active?

Y Combinator lists Cenote as active.

Who founded Cenote?

Cenote's founders, as listed on its YC page: Kofi Ansong (Founder/CEO), Kristy Gao (Founder/CTO).

Where is Cenote based?

Cenote lists San Francisco, CA, USA as its location on YC's directory.