It’s not simply you: AI startups are taking in an enormous quantity of seed funding, and within the course of making issues tougher for anybody on the lookout for funding even at a pre-seed stage. We’ve covered the trend in detail, and at this year’s TechCrunch Disrupt event, we wish to assist pre-seed founders now being held to seed-stage expectations.
With AI making the event of a minimal viable product swifter than ever, is there even hope for a founder who has a compelling thought, however nothing concrete to point out for it? That’s what our “Successful Pre-Seed With out a Product” panel will search to reply.
And it’s simply one among the numerous periods you may look ahead to at our popular Builders Stage at Disrupt 2026. That’s the place our most pointed conversations and workshops happen, tackling every thing from getting your palms soiled with operational selections, fundraising, go-to-market methods, and different important topics.
And you’ll be part of all of it by getting your ticket to attend Disrupt 2026 in San Francisco at Moscone West, October 13-15, at one of the best costs you’ll discover for the the rest of the 12 months.
As for this particular session, we’ve gathered an excellent trio of audio system to offer their experience on this nuanced and pivotal matter.
Sandhya Venkatachalam: Founder, managing associate, Axiom Companions
Venkatachalam each is aware of a factor or two about having a profitable exit, and what buyers are on the lookout for when taking the plunge with corporations that ultimately succeed by way of an acquisition of their very own. Her present function is overseeing the newly launched Axiom Partners, which is an early-stage, $52 million venture fund that’s targeted on connecting founders to top-class AI practitioners to assist gasoline AI that results in real-world enhancements.
Beforehand, she labored as a GP at Khosla Ventures and Social Capital, the place she was the primary investor in Groq, and likewise led investments into GalileoAI, ForethoughtAI, and FirefliesAI, which have all both been acquired or reached unicorn standing.
Puneet Agarwal: Managing associate, True Ventures
True Ventures has been a mainstay of the startup group, with a deal with early-stage corporations that stretches again to 2005. And Agarwal has labored there for almost that complete time, beginning in 2008 and now evolving right into a managing associate who’s particularly targeted on the transformation of enterprise infrastructure and functions amid the AI period.
If you’re on the lookout for knowledgeable recommendation on what VCs need, Agarwal is right here to offer it. True Ventures isn’t only a fund; it stretches throughout 12 funds, with partnerships stretching from greater than 500 corporations and 1,050 founders to greater than 60 acquisitions and 7 IPOs.
Austin Clements: Managing associate, Slauson & Co.
Slauson & Co. isn’t on the scale of True Ventures, however their mission, and Clements’ work inside it, shall be of specific be aware for the founders within the crowd. They’re notably targeted on financial inclusion and small enterprise empowerment, and Clements began an accelerator throughout the agency to hone in on this mission even additional.
His work to broaden the founder group by way of inclusive efforts is echoed in his work because the founding chair of PledgeLA, which in partnership with the Annenberg Basis and LA mayor’s workplace, additional promotes the significance of range throughout the tech group.
And frequent readers could acknowledge one of many corporations Slauson & Co. has invested in: Startup Battlefield 2026 victor Glīd!
Study from specialists, embrace the Disrupt 2026 pleasure
They’re just the start of our rollout of Disrupt 2026 programming as we construct as much as our October 13 kickoff in San Francisco.
And let that Battlefield spotlight be a reminder that Disrupt isn’t simply the dear insights and periods — it’s attending to rejoice the group, be taught from their success and stumbles, and equip your self for the brand new step of your journey. Whether or not you’re a founder, investor, or taking part in any variety of different important roles within the startup ecosystem, now’s the time to get your Disrupt 2026 ticket!
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