NextByte

NextByte is an AI-first technical interview platform built by MIT engineers to revolutionize engineering recruitment by moving beyond traditional algorithm-based screening. Founded in 2025 and backed by Y Combinator's Winter 2025 (W25) batch, NextByte conducts voice-driven technical evaluations that test for real-world skills, conceptual knowledge, and AI tool proficiency rather than rote memorization of coding puzzles. The platform emphasizes identifying 'vibe coders' who excel in modern AI-enhanced engineering workflows, allowing candidates to leverage AI tools (treating it as a skill, not cheating). NextByte enables hiring teams to screen hundreds of candidates simultaneously with rubric-based, detailed evaluations delivered in minutes, focusing on practical problem-solving ability that simulates realistic developer workflows. Founded by Jason Madeano and Matt Stallone (both from MIT with backgrounds at IBM Research and Pinterest), the platform uses voice conversations to evaluate technical communication, code quality, and ability to collaborate on engineering challenges under conditions closer to day-to-day work. With $500K in funding from Y Combinator and E14 Fund (MIT's venture fund), NextByte targets engineering leaders and talent acquisition teams at tech startups and high-growth companies, particularly those in the YC ecosystem. The platform provides holistic evaluation metrics covering multiple dimensions of candidate performance, shift away from LeetCode-style algorithm puzzles, and emphasizes finding talent from non-elite backgrounds based on agency, loyalty, and practical ability. Headquartered in San Francisco with a 2-person founding team, NextByte is developing native ATS marketplace integrations while currently offering API-based connectivity for early adopters. The platform is praised by early YC founders for identifying culture-fit coders faster than traditional technical screening methods.