Top accelerator startups

Startups14,448Programs29

14,448 startups · 29 programs

Karoo

Active · AI native consumer lending platform for underserved Americans

WebsiteYC profile

Why it ranks

How the rank works
7signal of 100 · rising 4
  • went through YCProgram · this site+4
  • team of 3Team size · YC's directory+3.1

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

Competitors

AIKastleShared: consumer lending, borrower, lenderYC S24San FranciscoStartup →AIVeritusShared: consumer lendingYC S25San FranciscoStartup →AIShibolethShared: consumer lendingYC W24San FranciscoStartup →AIAcquiredDashdiveShared: break down, levelYC W23San FranciscoStartup →AISequinShared: consumer lending, lenderYC S21San FranciscoStartup →
Companies closest to Karoo
Company
KastleShared: consumer lending, borrower, lenderYC S24ActiveAI
VeritusShared: consumer lendingYC S25ActiveAI
ShibolethShared: consumer lendingYC W24ActiveAI
DashdiveShared: break down, levelYC W23AcquiredAI, Devtools
SequinShared: consumer lending, lenderYC S21ActiveAI

Adjacent

OtherYenmoShared: consumer lending, borrowerYC W24BengaluruStartup →OtherAcquiredVerano HealthShared: underserved americanYC S21San FranciscoStartup →Developer toolsCRS GroupShared: consumer lendingPlug and PlayUnited StatesStartup →OtherInstacashShared: lending marketplace500 Global 2021PeruStartup →OtherKiwi BiosciencesShared: break down, americanYC S21BostonStartup →
Companies next to Karoo
Company
YenmoShared: consumer lending, borrowerYC W24ActiveOther
Verano HealthShared: underserved americanYC S21AcquiredOther
CRS GroupShared: consumer lendingPlug and Play Not statedDevtools
InstacashShared: lending marketplace500 Global 2021Not statedOther
Kiwi BiosciencesShared: break down, americanYC S21ActiveOther

Also from W25 in AI

All of W25
AIBluebookAI for accountingYC W25StockholmStartup →AICardamonAI compliance co-pilot for regulated financial businessesYC W25LondonStartup →AIFinbarFinancial intelligence for every investorYC W25LondonStartup →AIHarperAI-native commercial insurance brokerageYC W25San FranciscoStartup →AILiquid ComputePending CFTC regulation to be the first cash and physically settled…YC W25New York CityStartup →AIMentraBuilding the open source smart glasses operating system.YC W25San FranciscoStartup →
Company
BluebookAI for accountingteam of 4ActiveAI
CardamonAI compliance co-pilot for regulated financial businessesteam of 11ActiveAI
FinbarFinancial intelligence for every investorteam of 4ActiveAI
HarperAI-native commercial insurance brokerageteam of 252 programsActiveAI
Liquid ComputePending CFTC regulation to be the first cash and physically settled…team of 5hiringActiveAI, Devtools
MentraBuilding the open source smart glasses operating system.team of 12ActiveAI, Devtools

Founders

  • Jeanot DawsonFounder/CEO
  • Hugo MarklandFounder
  • Oliver LambsonFounder/CTO

About Karoo

US consumers within the risk appetite of prime lenders are served by the most competitive and efficient consumer lending marketplace globally. However, once you fall outside of this as a borrower, market efficiency breaks down and incumbents take advantage of low levels of competition to price gouge. We're fixing this.

YC batch
W25 · Winter 2025
Status, per YC
Active
Category
AI
Team size
3
Location
Toronto, ON, Canada
Founded
2024
Checked
7h ago

YC tags: Fintech, Consumer, Neobank

Karoo in W25: 166 companies, 84% AI

GitHub LinkedIn

Karoo: questions

Which YC batch was Karoo in?

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

Is Karoo still active?

Y Combinator lists Karoo as active.

Who founded Karoo?

Karoo's founders, as listed on its YC page: Jeanot Dawson (Founder/CEO), Hugo Markland (Founder), Oliver Lambson (Founder/CTO).

Where is Karoo based?

Karoo lists Toronto, ON, Canada as its location on YC's directory.