# Yam

[Yam on Hacklab](https://hacklab.so/org/yam)

Startup · 3 people on Hacklab

## Links

- [Website](https://hiyam.ai/)
- [Y Combinator](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/yam)
- [X](https://x.com/hiyam_ai)

## About

<!-- hacklab:yc-profile -->

## YC company profile

AI-powered dating sims for women

Yam simulates a Love Island–style dating experience for women, starring their favorite characters. Avg playtime per DAU is 3+ hrs!

- **YC batch:** Fall 2026
- **Founded:** 2026
- **Team size:** 3
- **Location:** San Francisco
- **Country:** US
- **Status:** Active
- **Industry:** Consumer
- **Stage:** Early
- **Tags:** Generative AI, Gaming, Creator Economy
- **YC partner:** David Lieb

## Founders

### Shan Zhong — Founder/CEO

Founder & CEO at Yam. Previously founded consumer fintech and grew it from 0 to 100K users and 2M ARR. Ex-Meta, worked on group chat and creator safety at Instagram and Messenger. Went to college at 14.

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanzzh/) · [X](https://x.com/shanzzh1)

### Yu Qin — Founder/CTO

CTO at Yam; ex-TikTok, where I built AI creation tools and grew Effect House's creator community to 800k. Built for no.1 esport team. Pro gamer.

[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/qin-yu-01a41212a/)

### Crystal Shan — Founder

Founder at Yam. Previously led product design at Webex. First product hire at Amesite, helping take the company from zero to IPO in 3 years.

[LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/crystalshan)

[Source: Y Combinator](https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/yam) · Retrieved 2026-11-02. Company information is self-reported on YC.

## Current staff

- [Crystal Shan](https://hacklab.so/crystal-shan) — Founder (Present)
- [Shan Zhong](https://hacklab.so/shan-zhong) — Founder/CEO (Present)
- [Yu Qin](https://hacklab.so/yu-qin) — Founder/CTO (Present)