TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Highlights and Key Takeaways

A Recap of TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 in San Francisco

Gratitude is extended to all who contributed to the success of this year’s San Francisco event – and to the 10,000 attendees who participated, networked, and gained valuable insights. For those unable to attend, the following images provide a visual overview of the key moments.

We look forward to welcoming you next year.

Vinod Khosla on AI and Energy

Vinod Khosla addressed attendees, expressing his skepticism regarding claims that powering AI will negatively impact climate initiatives. He indicated that geothermal energy is on the verge of becoming a viable solution, while fusion technology remains a more distant prospect.

He also discussed his areas of alignment and disagreement with President Donald Trump, specifically mentioning deregulation and immigration policies. Khosla remarked with a smile, “This administration won’t last forever.”

Roelof Botha on Investment Strategies

Roelof Botha, a partner at Sequoia, took the stage to share his firm’s approach to identifying successful ventures. He also cautioned founders about the potential consequences of government ownership in startups.

Botha advised founders not to delay fundraising, emphasizing the importance of securing capital six months before it’s needed, as market bubbles are prone to bursting.

Glīd Technologies Wins Battlefield

Kevin Damoa of Glīd Technologies, the victor of this year’s Battlefield competition, is pictured with Battlefield chief Isabelle Johannessen. Months of preparation, guided by TC’s Michael Schick and his team, culminated in this well-deserved recognition.

Roy Lee on Marketing Innovation

Roy Lee, founder of Cluely, captivated the audience with his unconventional and candid perspective on marketing strategies. He asserted that standing out requires increasingly bold and innovative approaches.

Lee’s presentation, punctuated by strong language, highlighted the need to embrace risk and challenge conventional norms. Maxwell Zeff is also pictured.

Tristan Thompson on Web3 and the NBA

Former Cleveland Cavaliers player Tristan Thompson, now focused on building a business empire, raised critical questions about the NBA. He explored the potential for manipulation within web3 platforms like Basketball Fun, which transforms NBA players into tradable tokens.

When questioned about potential bribery of NBA referees, Thompson offered a provocative thought: “It’s just a question to be asked.”

Wayve Secures Potential Funding

Alex Kendall, co-founder and CEO of Wayve, is seen with Sean O’Kane. Wayve, a U.K.-based self-driving startup, is reportedly in discussions to secure $2 billion in funding from SoftBank and Microsoft, potentially reaching an $8 billion valuation.

The company’s software functions as the “brains” for autonomous vehicles.

Phia Revolutionizes Secondhand Shopping

Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, founders of the AI-powered shopping assistant Phia, showcased their platform for simplifying the search for high-quality, pre-owned clothing.

Gates, daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, shared anecdotes about her parents’ learning experiences, playfully suggesting they’ve been seeking her style advice.

Waymo Addresses Autonomous Vehicle Safety

Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, engaged in a discussion with Kirsten Korosec regarding the societal acceptance of autonomous vehicles and the safety standards required.

Mawakana stated, “I think that society will” accept deaths caused by self-driving cars, but emphasized the need for exceptionally high safety benchmarks.

Kevin Rose on Digg and Venture Capital

Kevin Rose discussed the reboot of Digg and the future of venture capital, while also serving as a general partner at True Ventures. He remained tight-lipped about a secretive, wearable startup, promising further details soon.

Hugging Face and the Future of AI

Thomas Wolf, co-founder of Hugging Face, discussed the company’s efforts to democratize AI and robotics. He highlighted LeRobot, a project focused on providing affordable hardware, open-source tools, and shared datasets.

Startup Battlefield Judges in Action

Marlon Nichols of MaC VC and Aileen Lee of Cowboy Ventures served as judges during the final stages of the highly competitive Startup Battlefield. The pressure was palpable as founders delivered their pitches.

Aaron Levie on the Evolving Tech Landscape

Aaron Levie of Box engaged in a conversation with Russell Brandom, sharing his insights on the changing technology landscape. He has been a frequent presence at TechCrunch Disrupt events over the past two decades.

Netflix CTO on Interactive Programming

Elizabeth Stone, CTO of Netflix, discussed the platform’s expansion beyond traditional binge-watching to include interactive programming, such as live show voting and mobile gaming. She emphasized that this evolution hasn’t altered the core principles of storytelling.

Community Building in the Tech Space

Tade Oyerinde of Campus and Teddy Solomon of Fizz joined Dominic-Madori Davis to discuss the importance of community building. They explored innovative approaches to rethinking community college and fostering engagement on college campuses.

Old-School Networking Tactics

A whiteboard filled with requests for developers, contacts, and potential deals exemplified the enduring value of traditional networking methods.

Andreessen Horowitz on the Public Market

David George of Andreessen Horowitz discussed the considerations startups should weigh when preparing for an initial public offering (IPO). The event also served as a birthday celebration for George.

San Francisco’s Future and Tech Growth

San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie discussed his conversation with President Trump regarding the potential deployment of the National Guard to the city. He affirmed his commitment to the city’s continued growth and success.

Lurie stated, “No ask” was made during his discussions with the former president.

Builders Stage: A Hub of Innovation

The Builders Stage provided a comprehensive program covering all aspects of startup development, attracting a consistently full audience throughout the event.

Teamwork and Event Success

Jessica Barrera of TechCrunch is pictured, having successfully managed ticketing for the 10,000 attendees. Her contributions are vital to the event’s smooth operation.

For a more extensive collection of photos from the event, please visit our Flickr stream. Video coverage from Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 is also available.