Aaron Epstein

Aaron Epstein

Group Partner at Y Combinator, co-founder of Creative Market

San Francisco, California

New York City

ycombinator.com

Summary

Aaron Epstein is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with a deep focus on design and creator-centric marketplaces. He co-founded Creative Market, a platform for graphic design assets, which he grew, sold to Autodesk, and later spun out, ultimately facilitating over $100M in sales for independent creators globally. ycombinator+2

As a Group Partner at Y Combinator, Aaron leverages his extensive startup experience to mentor and guide early-stage companies, particularly those in the design and creator space. He contributes regularly to the YC blog, sharing insights on topics ranging from startup applications to management advice. ycombinator+2

His entrepreneurial journey began at a young age with ColorSchemer, a color theory software he developed in his college dorm room. This early venture, along with his role as co-founder of COLOURlovers, demonstrates his long-standing passion for design, technology, and building communities around creative tools. mixergy+1

Work

Education

Writing

Creative Market's Core Values, and the “3 Shits” That Shape Our Culture

An article discussing the core values and cultural principles that guided Creative Market's growth and operations.

Advice for New Managers

A post offering guidance and insights for individuals transitioning into management roles, based on his experience as a founder and leader.

Introducing Creative Market Pro

February 1, 2018

Announcing the launch of Creative Market Pro, detailing new features and the strategic direction of the product after spinning out from Autodesk.

The Independent Future of Creative Market

October 1, 2017

Reflecting on Creative Market's journey and its future as an independent entity after being spun out from Autodesk.

Launching Creative Market: Our Playbook for Kickstarting a Marketplace

September 1, 2017

A detailed account of the strategies and actions taken to successfully launch and grow Creative Market into a thriving marketplace.

How To Make Your YC Application Stand Out

September 1, 2016

An article providing advice to aspiring startup founders on how to create a compelling application for Y Combinator.

Notes

GTGarry Tansaid

AEAaron Epstein

is one of the most impressive founders they've met through Y Combinator.

Aug 27, 2025