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Wafer

YC S25

San Francisco, US · Founded 2025 · 15 employees · 5 known investors

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Wafer develops performance optimization tools and services across GPU accelerators, architectures, and computing stack layers.

Also known as Herdora, Corp. · Herdora · Herdora, wafer

AI & Machine LearningCloud ComputingDeep TechDeveloper ToolsEnterprise SoftwareArtificial IntelligenceUnited States of AmericaAmerica / Canada

Founders & leadership· Y Combinator alumni (S25)

Wafer was founded in 2025 by Emilio Andere and Steven Arellano.

EAEmilio Andere
Emilio AndereCo-Founder & CEOEmilio Andere studied mathematics at the University of Chicago and previously worked at Argonne, the UChicago SAND Lab, and Elicit.
SASteven Arellano
Steven ArellanoCo-FounderSteven Arellano previously worked at Two Sigma, Google, SEI Labs, and Axlab, and holds a degree in computer science and economics from the University of Chicago.

Investors · 5

Fifty Years✓ confirmed by WaferSan Francisco · $250K – $2M

How we know: the company's own site · Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Winglisted by WingPalo Alto · $200K – $20M

How we know: Wing's portfolio page · Not right? Tell us

Liquid VenturesreportedSan Francisco · $250K – $5M

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

Vercelreported

How we know: Y Combinator's founder network · Not right? Tell us

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Companies working in the same space as Wafer.

Legal entities · 1

corporate structure
Herdora, Corp.

In the news

Wafer Pass: flat-rate access to the fastest open-source LLMsycombinator.com · Apr 2026👑 Wafer - Cursor for CUDAycombinator.com · Jul 2025

Frequently asked questions

What does Wafer do?
Wafer develops performance optimization tools and services across GPU accelerators, architectures, and computing stack layers.
Who founded Wafer?
Wafer was founded by Emilio Andere, Steven Arellano in 2025.
Who are Wafer's investors?
Wafer's investors include Y Combinator, Fifty Years, Wing, Liquid Ventures, Vercel.
Where is Wafer headquartered?
Wafer is headquartered in San Francisco, US.