TechCrunch Disrupt 2025: Builders Stage Agenda Revealed

The Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The process of establishing a successful startup is complex, and the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, held October 27–29 at Moscone West in San Francisco, provides a platform for founders, operators, and investors to discuss the realities of building a thriving business.

Focus on Practical Strategies

This stage concentrates on actionable tactics – the essential details involved in transforming a concept into a viable and functioning enterprise.

Expanded Speaker Lineup

Previously announced speakers, including Elad Gil, Dick Costolo, and Ryan Petersen, will be joined by additional experts. Discord’s Jason Citron is among the new additions to the speaker roster.

New Sessions and Demonstrations

The agenda has been expanded to include live demonstrations of cutting-edge robotics. Attendees can anticipate gaining new perspectives on a range of topics.

Key Topics to be Addressed

• Securing initial funding through term sheets.
• Developing and scaling effective go-to-market strategies.
• Identifying appropriate applications of AI within your business model.

Real-World Insights and Q&A

The Builders Stage will feature honest discussions, valuable lessons learned from experience, and interactive Q&A sessions with individuals who have successfully created and invested in groundbreaking companies.

For those aiming to achieve more efficient growth, this stage is a crucial destination. Register today to take advantage of savings of up to $668 on your ticket before prices increase later this month.

Discover the full lineup for the Builders Stage at Disrupt 2025

The Builders Stage at Disrupt 2025 promises a wealth of insights for founders and innovators. This year’s agenda features discussions with leading investors and seasoned entrepreneurs.

Raising smart

A Conversation with Investor Extraordinaire Elad Gil

Elad Gil, CEO, Gil & Co.

Even before ChatGPT gained widespread recognition, Elad Gil had already made seed investments in companies such as Perplexity, Character.AI, and Harvey. This is in addition to his early support for well-known firms like Airbnb, Airtable, Anduril, Brex, Checkr, Coinbase, Deel, Figma, Flexport, GitLab, Gusto, Instacart, Notion, Opendoor, Pinterest, Rippling, Square, and Stripe.

Gil, who has also established companies like Mixerlabs (acquired by Twitter) and Color Health, consistently anticipates emerging trends. He is currently focused on the future of AI and investment strategies.

Image Credits:Slava Blazer Photography

Building What’s Next with the Minds Behind Twitter and Meta

Adam Bain and Dick Costolo, co-founders and managing partners, and David Fischer, partner, at 01 Advisors

Attend this fireside chat with three prominent investors from 01 Advisors to gain an inside perspective on the challenges and rewards of building, scaling, and funding early-stage startups. You’ll receive candid guidance and innovative viewpoints from industry leaders who are shaping the future of technology.

How to Pitch When You’re at the Inception Stage

Navin Chaddha, managing partner, Mayfield; and Charles Hudson, managing partner, Precursor Ventures

Securing pre-seed and seed-stage funding at the inception stage requires pitching a vision without a fully developed product, user base, or demonstrable traction. This panel, featuring Navin Chaddha of Mayfield and Charles Hudson of Precursor Ventures, will reveal what they seek in early-stage founders and how to differentiate yourself with only an initial concept.

Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

Seed Money Secrets Every Founder Should Know

Gabby Cazeau, partner, Harlem Capital; Marlon Nichols, co-founder and managing general partner, MaC Venture Capital; and Maria Palma, partner, Freestyle Capital

Obtaining your initial funding round can be challenging, but it is achievable. This panel brings together experienced investors to dissect the process of closing a seed round. From crafting a compelling pitch to selecting the right investment partners, you’ll receive practical advice to convert investor interest into capital.

How to Raise a Series A in 2026

Thomas Krane, managing director, Insight Partners; Katie Stanton, founder and general partner, Moxxie Ventures; and Sangeen Zeb, general partner, GV

Top VCs will share what truly motivates them to extend a term sheet with a favorable valuation. This unfiltered discussion will cover key metrics, common pitch errors, and how to position your company for its first institutional investment.

What VCs Really Want to Hear in Your Pitch

Medha Agarwal, general partner, defy.vc; Jyoti Bansal, CEO and co-founder, Harness; and Jennifer Neundorfer, general partner, January Ventures

Investors evaluate numerous pitches, but only a select few make a lasting impression. This panel offers direct insights from VCs on what they appreciate, what they find off-putting, and the subtle cues founders often overlook. Learn how to create a pitch that captures attention, fosters trust, and secures funding.

Image Credits:Kimberly White / Getty Images

Rethinking Startup Capital Without VCs

Erik Allebest, co-founder and CEO, Chess.com; Kay Makishi, Lupoff/Stevens Family Office; and Gale Wilkinson, managing partner, VITALIZE Venture Capital

Venture capital isn’t the sole funding option. Explore alternative fundraising strategies with an angel investor, a family office representative, and a founder who successfully bootstrapped their company. Discover how to access capital that aligns with your vision, preserves your control, and supports your growth.

Preparing Now for Your Later Stage Raise

Lila Preston, head of growth equity, Generation Investment Management; Andrea Thomaz, CEO and co-founder, Diligent Robotics; and Zeya Yang, partner, IVP

Securing later-stage funding requires strategic preparation from the outset. These VCs and an experienced founder will share how to develop metrics, craft a compelling narrative, and build relationships that position your startup for future funding success.

Where VCs Are Placing Their Bets in 2026

Nina Achadjian, partner, Index Ventures; Jerry Chen, general partner, Greylock; and Viviana Faga, general partner, Felicis 

Gain insights into the investment priorities of leading VCs, including emerging sectors and innovative technologies. This panel is essential for early-stage founders seeking to understand the trends that will shape the business landscape in the coming year.

Scaling smart

Building in a Time of Uncertainty

Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO, Flexport

In today’s environment, uncertainty is commonplace, but it also presents opportunities. Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, will share his valuable insights gained from navigating a complex global logistics landscape. Petersen’s experience with tariff policies and AI, coupled with his leadership journey, offers valuable lessons for founders.

Image Credits:Slava Blazer / TechCrunch

Creating Communities and Companies That Last

Jason Citron, founder and former CEO, Discord; and Tade Oyerinde, founder and chancellor, Campus

How can you build companies centered around people, rather than institutions? Jason Citron, founder of Discord, and Tade Oyerinde, founder of Campus, will discuss how they fostered communities that propelled their companies to success. They’ll share insights on product design, scaling strategies, and balancing vision with adaptability.

How to Nail Product-Market Fit

Rajat Bhageria, founder and CEO, Chef Robotics; Ann Bordetsky, partner, NEA; and Murali Joshi, partner, ICONIQ

Achieving product-market fit is a critical milestone for any startup. This panel will provide practical guidance on testing, iteration, and identifying the key elements that drive growth, funding, and traction.

Image Credits:Haje Kamps / TechCrunch

How Much Salary and Equity Should You Really Offer Early Employees?

Randi Jakubowitz, head of operations and talent, 645 Ventures; Rebecca Lee Whiting, fractional general counsel for early-stage startups, Epigram Legal P.C.; and Yin Wu, founder and CEO, Pulley

Attracting and retaining top talent is essential for startup success. This panel will explore strategies for building competitive compensation packages that align incentives, boost retention, and support scalable growth.

With Vibe Coding, Do Early-Stage Startups Still Need to Hire 10x Engineers?

David Cramer, co-founder and CPO, Sentry; Lauri Moore, partner, Bessemer Venture Partners; and Zach Lloyd, founder and CEO, Warp

The emergence of vibe-coding tools is transforming the development process, reducing the time, cost, and technical expertise required to build products. This panel will examine the impact of these tools on the demand for highly skilled engineers and explore the future of software development.

The Pros and Cons of Hiring AI Agents as Early Employees

Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, co-founder and CEO, Artisan; Sarah Franklin, CEO, Lattice; and Caleb Peffer, co-founder and CEO, Firecrawl

AI is increasingly being integrated into various aspects of startup operations. This panel will discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of utilizing AI agents for tasks such as sales, customer support, and billing, and provide guidance on maximizing their impact.

Do Startups Still Need Silicon Valley?

Anh-Tho Chuong, co-founder and CEO, Lago; Tawni Cranz, operating partner, SignalFire; and David Hall, managing partner, Rise of the Rest seed fund, Revolution 

While Silicon Valley remains a prominent startup hub, its importance is being questioned. This panel will debate whether founders need to be located in the Valley to succeed or if opportunities are now equally distributed across other regions.

Building a GTM Engine That Actually Works

Max Altschuler, founder and general partner, GTMfund; Marc Manara, head of startups, OpenAI; and Alison Wagonfeld, VP marketing and chief marketing officer, Google Cloud

A successful product requires a robust go-to-market strategy. This panel will explore best practices for building a GTM function, leveraging AI to drive growth, and measuring key metrics to ensure success.

Live Demo of Moxi the Humanoid Robot

Robotics and AI are being developed to automate routine tasks in healthcare settings, freeing up staff to focus on patient care. This live demonstration will showcase the capabilities of Moxi, a humanoid robot designed to navigate hospitals, avoid obstacles, and interact with people in real time.

Image Credits:Diligent Robotics

Disrupt 2025: A Hub for Scaling and Startup Innovation

This October, Disrupt 2025 will present a unique opportunity to learn from leading technology companies. Insights will be shared live on the Builders Stage.

Key Learning Opportunities at Disrupt 2025

Attendees will benefit from the expertise of prominent figures across five distinct industry stages. A wide array of breakout sessions and focused discussions will also be available.

Disrupt 2025 is expected to draw over 10,000 startup founders, technology professionals, and venture capital leaders. This provides an unparalleled networking environment.

Secure Your Pass and Maximize Savings

Early registration for Disrupt 2025 is now open. Attendees can realize savings of up to $668 on their passes.

Don't delay – current rates are scheduled to increase at the end of the month. Register today to take advantage of these exclusive savings.