Luel

What is Luel?

Luel is a two-sided marketplace founded in 2025 and headquartered in San Francisco, part of the Y Combinator W26 cohort. The platform connects AI companies and enterprises seeking high-quality, rights-cleared training data with a global network of content contributors. Luel specializes in sourcing and licensing multimodal AI training data — including video, audio, and images — providing "to-spec" datasets that are compliant, audit-ready, and rights-cleared. AI teams submit specifications for the data they need (modality, scenarios, instructions, quality requirements), and Luel mobilizes its contributor network to collect, create, or provide the required content. The company emphasizes proper legal documentation, chain-of-title for all datasets, custom bespoke data collection campaigns, and a multi-stage QA process to meet enterprise standards.

Mission & values

Turn everyday words and actions into rights-cleared multimodal training data for frontier AI labs — bespoke collections plus an off-the-shelf marketplace.

Qualifications

Contributors earn money by providing media (video, audio, images) or participating in data collection campaigns. Luel matches vetted contributors to specific data-collection requests based on their profile and capabilities. The platform is designed for global participation, allowing contributors to monetize their content or actions by converting them into usable training data. Onboarding typically involves screening and quality verification processes. No specific degree is required, but the ability to produce high-quality media content and follow detailed specifications is essential. Projects vary in scope and compensation.

Leadership

W

William Namgyal

Co-Founder & CEO

UC Berkeley MET program researcher who dropped out for Y Combinator. USACO Platinum at age 16. Previous exits with ezML and founding-engineer experience at Relixir (YC X25). One of the youngest founders in YC W26.

I

Inigo Lenderking

Co-Founder & COO

Hiring process

1

Watch for open data-collection campaigns

Luel is a new YC W26 startup; specific contributor onboarding flow is still emerging.
2

Sign up via luel.ai

Complete contributor profile.

About 1 day

Funding

StageSeed

Investors

Y Combinator (W26)

Awards & recognition

Y Combinator Winter 2026 batch · 2026

Y Combinator

Frequently asked questions

Is Luel legitimate?

Yes, Luel is a legitimate company listed on RemoWork. We verify all companies on our platform. However, we always recommend doing your own research before sharing personal information or starting work. Check reviews from other users and visit the company's official website for the most up-to-date information.

How do I get started with Luel?

To get started, visit Luel's official website and look for their careers or sign-up page. Create an account, complete your profile with relevant skills and experience, and apply for available positions or projects. Some companies may require you to pass a qualification test or assessment before you can start working.

Does Luel offer remote work?

Yes, Luel offers remote work opportunities. Most tasks and positions can be completed from anywhere with a reliable internet connection and a computer or smartphone. Specific location requirements may vary by project or role, so check individual listings for details.

How does Luel pay its workers?

Payment methods and schedules vary. Common payment options include PayPal, bank transfers, Payoneer, and other digital payment platforms. Visit Luel's official website or check their payment/FAQ section for specific details about payment methods, minimum thresholds, and payout schedules.

What skills do I need to work with Luel?

Required skills vary by role and project. Generally, you'll need a reliable internet connection, basic computer literacy, strong attention to detail, and good communication skills. Some positions may require specialized expertise, language proficiency, or technical qualifications. Check individual job listings for specific requirements.

What makes Luel different from other AI data platforms?

Luel operates as a two-sided marketplace specifically focused on rights-cleared, multimodal training data. Unlike annotation platforms where you label existing data, Luel connects contributors who create or provide original media (video, audio, images) with AI companies that need custom datasets. All data comes with proper legal documentation and chain-of-title.

Is Luel backed by Y Combinator?

Yes, Luel is part of the Y Combinator W26 cohort, one of the most prestigious startup accelerators in the world. This backing provides validation and support for the company's marketplace model connecting AI companies with data contributors.

What kind of content can I contribute on Luel?

Contributors can provide various types of multimodal content including video clips, audio recordings, and images based on specific requirements from AI companies. Each campaign has detailed specifications for the data needed, including modality, scenarios, and quality standards. The platform handles licensing and rights management.