Company Overview
Founded: 2026
Y Combinator Batch: Summer 2026
Team Size: 2
Status: Active
Location: Not publicly disclosed
Primary YC Partner: Jared Friedman
Founders: Pulkit Gupta & Agnay Srivastava
Tsenta is a two-person startup building desktop software that automates job applications. Unlike cloud-based competitors, all processing happens on your computer, which protects your privacy and avoids anti-bot detection systems. The founders went through Y Combinator's Summer 2026 batch with guidance from partner Jared Friedman.
The Job Application Problem
The modern job search requires sending dozens or hundreds of applications to generate a few interviews. According to research compiled by LifeShack and multiple industry sources, job seekers typically submit 100-200+ applications before landing a role, with some studies showing up to 250 applications submitted per job posting. At 30-45 minutes per application, this consumes 50-150 hours of tedious form-filling.
This volume requirement creates desperation. Job seekers resort to browser extensions and cloud services that promise to "apply to 100 jobs per day," but these tools introduce problems. Many trigger anti-bot detection systems, getting accounts flagged or banned. Others submit low-quality applications with incorrect information, damaging the applicant's reputation with recruiters.
Core Features: Discovery, Optimization, Automation
Tsenta handles three phases of job applications. The discovery phase provides AI-powered job recommendations based on skills and preferences. Users can also browse Tsenta's curated job board with filtering or paste any job URL they find online. The system works with any platform — LinkedIn, Indeed, company career pages, or specialized tech job boards.
The optimization phase tackles ATS (Applicant Tracking System) filters. Many companies use automated screening that rejects applications lacking specific keywords. Tsenta's AI analyzes each job description and tailors resumes to include relevant terms while maintaining authenticity. Recruiter-approved templates ensure formatting passes ATS checks while remaining readable for human reviewers.
The automation phase executes applications. Live browser automation handles everything from login to final submission, navigating complex multi-page forms, answering open-ended questions like "Why this company?", and uploading required documents. Users watch this happen in real-time on their screen, maintaining full transparency.
Tsenta's Main Competitors
The job application automation market includes several established players, each with distinct approaches and trade-offs. Here are Tsenta's primary competitors:
1. LazyApply
Overview: LazyApply is a browser extension that automates job applications across LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter. It can apply to up to 150 jobs per day using AI to generate cover letters and fill out forms.
Similar to Tsenta: Both tools automate the entire application process from start to finish, handle AI-generated responses to open-ended questions, and track applications. LazyApply also offers high-volume applications like Tsenta's parallel processing.
Key Difference: LazyApply runs in the cloud without showing users what's happening in real-time, while Tsenta displays every action live on your screen. Pricing: $99-$249/month.
2. Simplify
Overview: Simplify is a browser extension that auto-fills job application forms with one click. Rather than full automation, it speeds up manual applications by pre-populating fields with your saved information.
Similar to Tsenta: Both tools eliminate repetitive form-filling and work across multiple job platforms. Simplify also offers application tracking and saves your information for faster submissions.
Key Difference: Simplify requires manual clicking for each application, while Tsenta handles end-to-end automation. Simplify offers a free tier, while Tsenta's pricing hasn't been disclosed.
3. LoopCV
Overview: LoopCV is a cloud-based service that continuously scans job boards, finds matching positions, and either applies automatically or queues jobs for your approval.
Similar to Tsenta: Both provide automated job discovery, AI-powered resume optimization, and application analytics. LoopCV also offers email outreach to hiring managers alongside automated applications.
Key Difference: LoopCV is entirely cloud-based with no visibility into the application process, while Tsenta runs on your device with live transparency. Pricing: $29-$99/month.
4. Jobright
Overview: Jobright is an AI job search copilot that finds jobs, customizes applications, and submits them automatically. The platform emphasizes quality matching over high-volume applications.
Similar to Tsenta: Both use AI to match users with relevant jobs, customize applications per role, and include tracking features. Jobright also provides interview preparation tools beyond just applications.
Key Difference: Jobright focuses on quality over quantity with lower application volumes, while Tsenta balances both through parallel processing. Jobright's pricing hasn't been publicly disclosed.
Conclusion
The global job application automation market is growing rapidly. As AI capabilities improve and acceptance of automation increases, more job seekers will adopt these tools. Early movers with strong positioning can capture significant market share before larger HR tech companies enter aggressively.
For job seekers exhausted by manual applications but skeptical of black-box automation, Tsenta presents a compelling middle ground. The ability to maintain oversight while achieving automation efficiency could make Tsenta the standard tool for technical job searches.
FAQ
What is Tsenta?
Tsenta is a Y Combinator Summer 2026 company that built desktop software for automated job applications. The app runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux, finding jobs through AI recommendations, optimizing resumes for ATS systems, and submitting applications while displaying every action live on the user's screen for complete transparency.
Who founded Tsenta?
Pulkit Gupta and Agnay Srivastava founded Tsenta. Both studied computer science at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. Pulkit worked as a full-stack engineer at RelateXR, Dexter Capital, and Multibhashi. Agnay worked in systems engineering, MLOps, and software engineering at VIAVI, GrapheneAI, and Paytm.
How is Tsenta different from other job application tools?
Tsenta runs entirely on the user's device rather than cloud servers, providing privacy and avoiding anti-bot detection. Unlike browser extensions that just auto-fill forms, Tsenta handles end-to-end automation from login to submission.
