I'm a Canadian startup founder. Y Combinator's initial decision to shut out Canadian startups was totally justifiable.

Hassan Ismail cofounded Yellowcake in the US after navigating tight Canadian regulations with his first startup, West Tek Defense.

Hassan Ismail

• Hassan Ismail cofounded a defense tech startup in Canada, but found its regulations and risk-adverse investors challenging.
• He said Y Combinator's initial decision to not invest in Canadian startups was justifiable, though he understands their reversal.
• Ismail shuttered that startup to build Yellowcake. This time, he incorporated in the US.