Best Logos of Y Combinator W21 Batch - Design Inspiration

Y Combinator's Latest Batch: A Look at the Best Logos

Our assessment of the most compelling companies from Y Combinator’s recent cohort was initially based on substantive qualities and extensive expertise. Now, we turn to a more visually-driven evaluation. Here are 11 standout logos from the numerous companies that presented yesterday.

The Challenge of Rapid Review

Observing companies present in one-minute intervals for eight hours proved mentally taxing, despite the prevalence of innovative ideas. However, logos with strong visual appeal consistently captured my attention. This led to a compilation of noteworthy designs.

The Ephemeral Nature of Branding

Unfortunately, many promising ventures are quickly acquired, resulting in the retirement of their distinctive logos, as seen with DataFleets, a recent favorite. While these acquisitions bring financial success, a well-crafted logo is often lost in the process.

Let's proceed with our selections. The first three logos are highlighted as particularly strong, with the remaining eight receiving equal recognition.

Featured Logos

Enombic

The inherent geometric potential of a capital 'E' is skillfully leveraged in Enombic’s logo. It masterfully utilizes the classic trisulc optical illusion without excessive embellishment, creating a clear, albeit impossible, form that is undeniably a letter. The design achieves this with minimal lines and elements. The typography is also thoughtfully chosen, avoiding repetition through case variation.

Uiflow

The combination of the letters 'U' and 'I' has been explored previously, but Uiflow’s execution is remarkably elegant. Complementary curves and precise spacing contribute to a harmonious design. The logo employs an inversion of the previous example, and the white-on-black color scheme is particularly effective.

Perfect Recall

This logo is directly informed by the company’s function: recording and highlighting video calls. A looping arrow universally symbolizes returning to a point, and this design achieves that effect without unnecessary flourishes. Balancing the circular form with the shape of the letter 'P' is a notable accomplishment. A potential drawback is the repetition of 'P' – resulting in "PPerfect Recall" – a common, yet avoidable, issue.

Furmacy

The Furmacy logo effectively communicates the company’s purpose through visual cues. While the combined logo and type could benefit from refinement – specifically the tail curve, the plus symbol, and the capsule shape – it remains immediately recognizable and conveys the core concept without words. The name itself is also cleverly conceived.

Routine

Omitting half of the letter 'o' is a daring design choice, as it risks being misinterpreted. However, Routine successfully integrates this element as a rising sun, subtly alluding to the app’s functionality. The consistent sizing of the uppercase 'R' with the lowercase letters is unconventional, but works well due to the whitespace created by the missing 'o'.

Dashlabs.ai

The core idea behind this logo is promising, but the graphic requires simplification. The proportions of the eyepiece, lens barrel, and plate are off, and the dial adds unnecessary complexity. The slotted 'D' is appealing, but feels slightly misaligned. Furthermore, inconsistencies in stripe thickness are noticeable, potentially due to a misplaced pixel. The geometric typeface is solid, but the ".ai" extension is small and detracts from the overall design.

Mendel

This logo appears to have no direct connection to the company or its namesake geneticist, yet its aesthetic appeal is undeniable. The 'M' shaped like a mountain is visually striking. It would be particularly fitting if Mendel were to expand into outdoor gear. This type of letter-based art is rare when executed well, and this design is charmingly simple, demonstrating thoughtful consideration. The typography, however, is less successful.

Nuntius Therapeutics

Drawing inspiration from the double helix structure of DNA – relevant to Nuntius’s gene therapy focus – this capital 'N' is a well-executed design. The stylized bases are not strictly biologically accurate, but they contribute to the overall aesthetic, and the sinuous curve of the helix seamlessly integrates into the circle.

Aspen Cloud

The muted rainbow effect is frequently used, but Aspen Cloud’s implementation is refined. The pastel shades are harmonious, evoking CMYK color profiles rather than overly vibrant polychromatic designs. The leaf-tree combination is simple and memorable, avoiding issues with weight and symmetry. The colors are well-arranged, receding on white backgrounds and popping on black. The typography, however, is unremarkable.

PingPong

While the bright color is prominent on Uber bikes in my area, it serves as an effective visual element for a dot. The full logotype is less noteworthy, as any logo for a company named “Ping Pong” should incorporate symmetrical or two-sided motifs. However, the app logo itself is strong. The darker grey tone creates a subtle shadow, and the slightly narrower width of the dot/ball generates an illusion of depth. It could also be interpreted as the ball’s trajectory, but I prefer my interpretation. It bears a slight resemblance to the flag of Japan.

MagicBell

The combination of a bell and a chicken is surprisingly effective, merging two “alarm” symbols into a charming image that conveys “notifications.” Or perhaps “Peeps.” Hopefully, Nintendo won’t pursue legal action regarding potential infringement of bird-type characters from Animal Crossing (particularly Knox).

All these companies deserve recognition for their design efforts. Attention to detail and a focus beyond mere functionality are crucial, particularly for startups that often prioritize practical considerations.