TechCrunch Sessions: SaaS Agenda Revealed

TechCrunch Sessions: SaaS is Returning!

Mark your calendars! TechCrunch Sessions is making its return on October 27th, focusing on the dynamic and highly competitive world of Software as a Service (SaaS). We’re excited to unveil a comprehensive agenda featuring prominent industry leaders and innovative startups.

Take advantage of the $75 early-bird ticket pricing – still available! Secure your spot now to fully benefit from the agenda and save $100 before prices increase.

A Day of Insight and Discussion

Throughout the day, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from leading industry experts and participate in discussions covering the potential of advancements in data, open source technologies, strategies for addressing escalating security challenges, and best practices for investing in early-stage startups, among other crucial topics.

We are pleased to welcome a distinguished group of speakers, including Javier Soltero of Google, Kathy Baxter from Salesforce, Jared Spataro at Microsoft, Jay Kreps of Confluent, Sarah Guo at Greylock and Daniel Dines of UiPath.

Connect with professionals from across the globe through our world-class virtual networking platform – all for under $75, with special discounts available for nonprofits, government agencies, students, and emerging founders!

Our agenda highlights both established powerhouses and smaller teams pioneering and challenging conventional technologies within the industry. Expect further additions to the agenda over the coming month, so stay informed.

Agenda Highlights

Investing in Today’s SaaS Market: Survival of the Fittest
with Casey Aylward (Costanoa Ventures), Kobie Fuller (Upfront) and Sarah Guo (Greylock)

• The venture capital landscape is evolving rapidly, becoming increasingly competitive. Investors seeking opportunities in promising SaaS companies face a more complex environment. With the influx of non-traditional funding, the normalization of remote dealmaking, and a globally expanding market for software startups, venture capitalists are adapting their strategies and expectations. TechCrunch will host a discussion with three prominent investors to explore how they navigate competitive deals, the changes they’ve implemented in their processes, and the demands of today’s top founders.

The Power of Data, Everywhere
with Ali Ghodsi (Databricks)

• Companies are increasingly challenged by the management and sharing of vast data volumes. Databricks, a leading data lake provider, recently achieved a valuation of $28 billion in its latest funding round, demonstrating the significance of this challenge. We will speak with CEO Ali Ghodsi about the factors driving his startup’s success and its future direction.

SaaS Security: Current Landscape and Future Trends
with Edna Conway (Microsoft), Wendy Nather (Cisco), Olivia Rose (Amplitude)

• Organizations are constantly confronting a multitude of threats, ranging from nation-state actors to cybercriminals and internal risks. With the widespread adoption of remote work and cloud technologies, maintaining robust security is paramount for both startups and established corporations. This session will explore the essential security considerations for SaaS startups, both present and future.

Automation’s Ascendancy
with Daniel Dines (UiPath), Laela Sturdy (CapitalG) and Dave Wright (ServiceNow)

• The pandemic underscored the critical importance of automation, a trend expected to accelerate. We’ll be joined by UiPath CEO Daniel Dines, Laela Sturdy, an investor at CapitalG, and Dave Wright from ServiceNow to discuss the factors driving this surge in automation adoption.

The Impact of the Pandemic on Cloud Productivity
with Javier Soltero (Google)

• Productivity applications like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive are central to the SaaS ecosystem. We’ll discuss the role of Google Workspace within Google’s broader cloud strategy with executive Javier Soltero.

The Open-Source Future
with Abby Kearns (Puppet), Aghi Marietti (Kong) and Jason Warner (Redpoint)

• Open-source components are increasingly prevalent in modern startups, fostering community engagement and driving sales. We’ll explore the benefits of open source with Abby Kearns from Puppet, Augusto “Aghi” Marietti from Kong, and Jason Warner, an investor at Redpoint.

Microsoft’s Transition to the Cloud
with Jared Spataro (Microsoft)

• Jared Spataro has spent over 15 years at Microsoft, witnessing and contributing to the company’s shift from on-premise software to a cloud-centric model. He now leads one of the most successful SaaS products available. We’ll discuss Microsoft’s transformation and its impact on the company.

Leveraging Data for SaaS Innovation
with Jenn Knight (Agentsync), Barr Moses (Monte Carlo) and Dan Wright (DataRobot)

• The focus has shifted from simply collecting big data to actively utilizing it. Today’s leading SaaS startups are leveraging data to create new markets, solve complex problems, and achieve rapid growth. We’ve assembled three leaders from data-focused startups to share their insights on how SaaS companies are harnessing the power of data.

Life After Acquisition
with Jyoti Bansal (Harness), Monica Sarbu (Xata), and Nick Mehta (GainSight) 

• We’ll speak with three founders about the emotional and practical aspects of being acquired, from the initial offer to the integration process. Our panel includes Jyoti Bansal, founder of AppDynamics, Monica Sarbu, founder of Elastic, and Nick Mehta from GainSight.

Setting Data in Motion
with Jay Kreps (Confluent)

• Confluent, a streaming platform built on Apache Kafka, originated from a project at LinkedIn and successfully transitioned from startup to IPO. We’ll speak with co-founder and CEO Jay Kreps about his company’s journey.

Stay Tuned for More!

We will be announcing additional sessions and speakers in the coming weeks. Be sure to stay updated!

Don’t miss out: Follow TC Sessions: SaaS for the latest speaker announcements, event updates, and ticket discounts.

Why Attend TC Sessions: SaaS?

This is our inaugural year dedicated to SaaS, but TechCrunch has a long history of hosting successful events. Here’s what past attendees have to say:

“TC Sessions: Mobility offers several key benefits: networking opportunities leading to concrete partnerships, insights into the latest trends and the future of mobility, and a platform for emerging startups to build brand awareness.” — Karin Maake, senior director of communications at FlashParking.

“Attendees are eager to learn about emerging trends and address critical issues. Even large companies like GM and Ford participated, recognizing the shift towards mobility. TC Sessions: Mobility provides access to leading experts.” — Melika Jahangiri, vice president at Wunder Mobility.

Register Today!

TC Sessions: SaaS 2021 will be held on October 27th. Gather your team, join the community, and unlock new opportunities. Don’t delay – secure your early bird ticket now!