TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Builders Stage Agenda Unveiled
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is gearing up to host its highly anticipated Builders Stage, a dedicated platform where investors, operators, and founders converge to discuss the practical strategies of building and scaling successful startups. Scheduled for October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, the Builders Stage promises candid conversations, actionable insights, and real-world advice from industry leaders.
This year’s lineup includes notable figures such as legendary investor Elad Gil, former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo, and Flexport founder Ryan Petersen. Attendees can expect to gain invaluable knowledge from those who have built and backed category-defining companies.
The Builders Stage agenda addresses crucial challenges faced by startups, from navigating term sheets to building effective go-to-market strategies and integrating AI. Each session will feature audience Q&A, allowing attendees to get their specific questions answered live.
A Sneak Peek at the Agenda:
Several key sessions have already been confirmed:
Raising Smart: A Conversation with Investor Extraordinaire Elad Gil
Elad Gil, known for his early investments in companies like Airbnb, Coinbase, and Stripe, will share his insights on AI and investing.
Building What’s Next with the Minds Behind Twitter and Meta
Adam Bain, Dick Costolo, and David Fischer from 01 Advisors will discuss building and funding early-stage startups.
Seed Money Secrets Every Founder Should Know
Gabby Cazeau (Harlem Capital), Marlon Nichols (MaC Venture Capital), and Maria Palma (Freestyle Capital) will offer advice on securing seed funding.
How to Raise a Series A in 2026
Sangeen Zeb from GV and other speakers will discuss strategies for securing Series A funding.
What VCs Really Want to Hear in Your Pitch
Medha Agarwal (defy.vc), Jyoti Bansal (Harness), and Jennifer Neundorfer (January Ventures) will share tips on crafting a compelling pitch.
Rethinking Startup Capital Without VCs
Erik Allebest (Chess.com), Kay Makishi (Lupoff/Stevens Family Office), and Gale Wilkinson (VITALIZE Venture Capital) will explore alternative fundraising paths.
Preparing Now for Your Later Stage Raise
Lila Preston (Generation Investment Management), Andrea Thomaz (Diligent Robotics), and Zeya Yang (IVP) will discuss strategies for later-stage funding.
Where VCs Are Placing Their Bets in 2026
Nina Achadjian (Index Ventures), Jerry Chen (Greylock), and Viviana Faga (Felicis) will share their investment priorities for 2026.
Scaling Smart:
Building in a Time of Uncertainty
Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO of Flexport, will discuss navigating uncertainty in business.
How to Nail Product Market Fit
Rajat Bhageria (Chef Robotics), Ann Bordetsky (NEA), and Murali Joshi (ICONIQ) will share insights on achieving product-market fit.
How Much Salary and Equity Should You Really Offer Early Employees?
Randi Jakubowitz (645 Ventures), Rebecca Lee Whiting (Epigram Legal P.C.), and Yin Wu (Pulley) will discuss building competitive compensation packages.
With Vibe Coding, Do Early Stage Startups Still Need to Hire 10x Engineers?
David Cramer (Sentry) and Lauri Moore (Bessemer Venture Partners) will discuss the impact of vibe coding on hiring practices.
Should You Hire AI as Early Employees?
Caleb Peffer (Firecrawl) and other speakers will explore the potential of hiring AI agents.
Do Startups Still Need Silicon Valley?
Anh-Tho Chuong (Lago), Heather Doshay (SignalFire), and David Hall (Revolution) will debate the importance of Silicon Valley for startups.
Building a GTM Engine that Actually Works
Max Altschuler (GTMfund) and other speakers will discuss building effective go-to-market strategies.
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 promises to be a valuable event for startups looking to gain insights from industry leaders and build successful companies. Attendees can save up to $675 on tickets by registering now.
