Evan Lee Salim
The highly anticipated Builders Stage is set to make its return to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, scheduled to take place from October 13-15 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. This dedicated track promises an immersive experience for founders, startup operators, and investors, offering practical, actionable insights into the intricate process of building and scaling successful companies in an increasingly dynamic technological landscape. With an estimated attendance exceeding 10,000 technology leaders, the event underscores TechCrunch’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurial growth.
Attendees will have the unique opportunity to learn from an impressive roster of startup and venture capital luminaries who are actively shaping the global tech ecosystem. Among the confirmed speakers are industry stalwarts such as Grant Lee, CEO and co-founder of Gamma; Leah Solivan, founder and general partner at Precedent.vc; and Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google. These leaders, alongside many others, will engage in candid conversations and present real-world case studies, designed to impart actionable wisdom across critical areas including fundraising strategies, effective hiring practices, robust go-to-market execution, the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence, and the nuanced operational decisions vital for sustainable startup growth. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as ticket prices are set to increase soon, offering significant savings to those who secure their passes today.
The Evolution and Significance of TechCrunch Disrupt
TechCrunch Disrupt has long stood as a pivotal event in the global startup calendar, renowned for its ability to spot nascent trends, launch groundbreaking companies, and connect the brightest minds in technology. Since its inception, Disrupt has served as a launchpad for countless startups through its iconic Startup Battlefield competition, with alumni often going on to achieve significant market valuations and influence. The event has consistently evolved, mirroring the rapid pace of technological advancement and the changing needs of the startup community.
The Builders Stage, specifically, was conceived to address a critical juncture in the startup journey: the transition from initial concept to scalable enterprise. While many events focus on ideation or early-stage funding, the Builders Stage drills down into the complex operational and strategic challenges faced by founders ready to accelerate growth. This focus is particularly pertinent in today’s environment, where market conditions demand greater efficiency, clear pathways to revenue, and a strategic understanding of how emerging technologies like AI can be leveraged or navigated. It is one of six industry-focused stages at Disrupt 2026, each designed to provide deep dives into specific sectors or challenges, reinforcing the event’s comprehensive approach to startup development. Every session on the Builders Stage is structured to deliver practical strategies that can be implemented immediately, complemented by live Q&A opportunities, fostering direct engagement between speakers and the ambitious audience.
Navigating the Modern Startup Landscape: Key Thematic Areas
The Builders Stage agenda reflects the most pressing challenges and opportunities confronting today’s founders. The sessions are meticulously curated to provide a holistic understanding of the contemporary tech landscape, with a strong emphasis on practical application.
Beyond the AI Hype Cycle: Diversified Strategies for Success
One of the most anticipated sessions, "How to Win When You’re Not Building AI," will feature Shan Shan, Investment Manager at Baillie Gifford, and Yuri Sagalov, Managing Director at General Catalyst. This session directly addresses the current venture capital climate, which often appears overwhelmingly focused on AI. Industry data indicates that while AI startups attract significant investment, a vast majority of successful companies operate outside the core AI model development space. The panelists will dissect what truly drives success in a market often swayed by hype, emphasizing efficient growth, robust customer retention, high-quality revenue streams, and disciplined execution. Their core message will likely resonate with many founders: fundamental business principles, rather than fleeting trends, remain the bedrock of breakout businesses.
Defensibility in an AI-Dominated World
The session "What Happens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap" promises a critical discussion with Michel Tricot, CEO and Co-founder of Airbyte; Rob Toews, Partner at Radical Ventures; and Linda Tong, CEO of Webflow. This topic speaks to the existential threat many startups face as AI giants like OpenAI or Anthropic rapidly expand their product offerings, potentially turning innovative startup features into integrated components of larger platforms. Analysts have termed this "platform risk," a growing concern for companies building on or adjacent to foundational AI models. The discussion will delve into strategies for building defensibility, whether through proprietary data, unique user experiences, or deep vertical specialization, offering crucial guidance for founders caught in this rapidly evolving competitive dynamic.
Funding the Next Wave of AI Innovation
"Building the Next Generation of AI Giants" with Jas Khaira, Global Head of Blackstone N1, will explore the unique capital demands of AI startups. These companies often scale at unprecedented speeds, requiring substantial investment to fuel research, talent acquisition, and infrastructure. Khaira will share Blackstone’s perspective on identifying enduring AI companies, guiding founders on how to strategically approach capital raising as they scale, and revealing the criteria top-tier investors seek when backing the next generation of category-defining businesses. Reports suggest AI startup funding has skyrocketed, but with increased scrutiny on unit economics and long-term viability.
The War for AI Talent: Compensation, Culture, and Retention
The talent landscape in tech has been dramatically reshaped by the AI boom. Two sessions, "Competing for AI Talent: Pay, Equity, and Retention" and "Hiring When AI Is a Co-Founder," will tackle this multifaceted challenge. Speakers like Matt Birnbaum, Founder of Wylder.co; Ioana Hreninciuc of Runware; Atli Thorkelsson, VP of Talent Network at Redpoint Ventures; and Josh Reeves, CEO and Co-founder of Gusto, will address the fierce competition for AI expertise, the impact of secondary sales on employee incentives, and the evolving nature of team structures. The concept of "AI as a co-founder" reflects the growing integration of intelligent agents into core operational roles, forcing founders to rethink the division of labor between human and artificial intelligence, and how to build "hybrid teams" without sacrificing speed, accountability, or culture. This discussion is critical as companies navigate a market where compensation packages and employee expectations are rapidly shifting.
Demystifying Early-Stage Fundraising
"Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product" will bring together Puneet Agarwal, Managing Partner at True Ventures; Austin Clements, Managing Partner at Slauson and Co; and Sandhya Venkatachalam, Founder and Managing Partner at Axiom Partners. This session acknowledges a prevalent trend: founders are increasingly expected to secure capital before having a fully developed product. At the pre-seed stage, investors often place their bets on the founder’s vision, conviction, and demonstrable founder-market fit. The panelists will provide a blueprint for building credibility in the absence of revenue, offering insights into how to articulate a compelling narrative that convinces investors to write that crucial first check.
Scaling Product from MVP to Global Reach
Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google, will lead a fireside chat titled "From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale." This session will be invaluable for founders dreaming of widespread adoption. The instincts and methodologies that lead to a successful Minimum Viable Product (MVP) can become detrimental when a product serves billions of users. Stein will share his extensive experience from one of the world’s largest product organizations, detailing how product decision-making evolves, the delicate balance between speed and trust, and the imperative to foster innovation while ensuring reliability at an immense scale.
Reimagining Consumer Experiences with AI
"Rebuilding Consumer Products for the AI Era" with Maria Angelidou-Smith, CPO of Reddit, will explore how AI is not merely adding features but fundamentally transforming how users interact with products across search, discovery, communication, and decision-making. Joined by leaders from Square and Uber, the session will discuss the redesign of products used by millions, user expectations for AI integration, and the strategic decisions product leaders must make regarding automation, ensuring AI enhances rather than detracts from the user experience.
M&A as a Proactive Growth Strategy
The session "M&A Is Now an Early-Stage Strategy" with Karl Alomar, Managing Partner at M13, and Lindsey Mignano, Founder of Mignano Law Group, highlights a significant shift in exit strategies. In a tightening capital market, the traditional path to IPO is becoming less common for many startups. Savvy founders are now considering potential acquisitions from day one, integrating this possibility into their product strategy and partnership development. This discussion will break down how founders can position their companies for successful M&A outcomes, even for smaller entities, and shed light on the mechanics of significant startup exits.
The Series A Landscape in 2027
"The Series A in 2027" will feature Jahanvi Sardana, Partner at Index Ventures; Shailendra Singh, Managing Director at Peak XV; and Janelle Teng Wade, Partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. This session is critical for founders planning their next funding round. The Series A landscape has become notably more challenging, with venture capitalists demanding higher traction and more robust metrics. The panelists will redefine what "fundable" will entail in 2027, outlining the updated criteria for metrics, team composition, and market traction, and explaining why outdated fundraising playbooks are no longer effective. They will provide actionable advice on how companies can differentiate themselves in the upcoming funding cycles.
Accelerated Go-to-Market Strategies
"The 90-Day GTM: Why $0-$10M ARR Is the New Baseline (and How to Actually Get There)" will feature Ryan Meadows, Chief Revenue Officer at Lovable; Tomasz Tunguz, General Partner and Founder at Theory Ventures; and Ben Broca, Founder at Polsia. This session underscores the intense pressure for rapid revenue generation. What once took years to achieve is now expected in months, with $0 to $10 million ARR increasingly seen as the new early-stage benchmark. The discussion will delve into how AI-enabled execution, faster distribution channels, and evolving investor expectations are compressing GTM timelines, and equip founders with tactical levers to accelerate revenue and gain market visibility quickly within their first 90 days.
Mastering a Multi-Model AI World
"The Real Tokenmaxxing: How the Best AI Companies Navigate a Multi-Model World" will include Mo Jomaa, Partner at Capital G, and Zuzanna Stamirowska, CEO and Co-founder of Pathway. As the AI frontier advances at an unprecedented pace, no single model can keep up with every innovation. The most successful AI products are increasingly orchestrating across multiple models rather than committing to a single one. This panel will bring together founders and operators at the forefront of this shift, discussing how they evaluate new models, manage the complexities of cost and reliability at scale, and design products capable of evolving as rapidly as the underlying AI technology.
Spotlighting AI Innovation: The AI Disruptors 60
A highlight will be "Revealing AI Disruptors 60: What Can AI Do Next?" with Shay Grinfield of Greenfield Partners. The conversation around AI is moving beyond capabilities to tangible actions. Agents are now navigating the open web, completing complex tasks, and intelligent machines are extending their reach beyond screens. A new infrastructure layer is emerging to support this at scale. Grinfield will engage with founders building in these cutting-edge areas, distinguishing current realities from future possibilities and identifying the biggest new opportunities. The session will culminate in the unveiling of Greenfield Partners’ 2026 AI Disruptors 60 list, spotlighting companies recognized by Greenfield and TechCrunch for pushing the boundaries of AI.
Identifying True Product-Market Fit
"PMF Red Flags: How to Tell If You Really Have It" with Rajeev Dham, Managing Director at Sapphire Ventures, and Rahul Vohra, Founder and Head of Superhuman Mail, will tackle a critical issue in the current AI hype cycle. The ease with which early excitement, usage spikes, or pilot wins can be mistaken for durable traction is a growing concern. This session will dissect the characteristics of "false PMF," providing investors and operators with the tools to differentiate genuine retention from hype-driven adoption. It will offer insights into the signals that truly indicate a company has strong market pull versus temporary momentum.
Achieving Initial Customer Traction Without a Budget
"The Zero-to-1K Playbook: How to Get Your First 1,000 Customers Without a Marketing Budget" features Grant Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Gamma; Leah Solivan, Founder and General Partner at Precedent.vc; and Elia Wallen, Founder and CEO of Engine. For early-stage startups, customer acquisition often precedes a marketing budget. This session will emphasize founder-led distribution and relentless execution. The panelists will break down practical strategies for landing initial customers, including community building, product-led growth, founder-led sales, strategic outbound efforts, and leveraging word-of-mouth momentum.
Addressing the Human Element: Founder Well-being
A crucial and often overlooked aspect of startup life will be addressed in "Yes, It’s Hard to Be a Founder: An Honest Conversation." Nell Daly, Co-founder and Managing Partner at Revenge Capital; David H. Rosmarin, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School; and Jack Withinshaw, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Airspeeder, will engage in a candid discussion about the psychological demands of company building. Beyond strategy, the entrepreneurial journey is mentally arduous, often leading to burnout, decision fatigue, and significant identity strain. This session will explore the hidden costs of high-growth environments and share practical systems, habits, and mental frameworks that enable leaders to endure and perform at their peak.
Sustaining Innovation Beyond a Single Product
"So You’ve Got a Hit Product. How Does Your Company Do It Again?" will feature Filip Kaliszan, CEO and Co-founder of Verkada; Aaron Jacobson, Partner at New Enterprise Associates; and Maddi Holman, General Partner at Daring Ventures. Many startups achieve initial success with a single great product but struggle to build a repeatable multi-product engine. This panel will reveal the operational playbook for strategic capital allocation, systematizing internal innovation, and engineering a compounding "Second Act" before the core product’s growth curve flattens. It’s about building a company designed for continuous innovation, not just a one-hit wonder.
Insights from the Startup Battlefield Judges
The Builders Stage will also offer a unique glimpse into the investor mindset through two sessions: "The High-Conviction Filter: What We Learned From the Battlefield" and "Ask the Investors." Featuring prominent Startup Battlefield judges like Alexa von Tobel of Inspired Capital, Chi-Hua Chien of Goodwater Capital, Stacy Brown-Philpot of Cherryrock Capital, Dayna Grayson of Construct Capital, and Carter Reum of M13, these sessions provide an unparalleled opportunity. Judges will unpack the trends, founder qualities, and narratives that resonated most during the Startup Battlefield competition, offering real-time insights into evolving investor expectations and effective startup storytelling. The "Ask the Investors" session, an audience-led Q&A, will provide candid answers to tough questions about what differentiates a fundable startup—covering team, traction, market opportunity, pitch delivery, and red flags directly from the decision-makers.
Broader Impact and Implications
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, with the Builders Stage as a cornerstone, serves as more than just a conference; it’s a vital ecosystem builder. The insights shared, the connections forged, and the innovations showcased have a ripple effect across the global tech industry. For founders, it’s an opportunity to gain competitive intelligence, refine their strategies, and avoid common pitfalls. For investors, it’s a prime hunting ground for the next generation of disruptive companies. For the broader tech community, it’s a barometer of industry trends and a forum for thought leadership.
The event’s presence in San Francisco, a global hub for technological innovation, further amplifies its impact. It draws significant economic activity to the city, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of collaboration and competition. The discussions around AI, talent, and sustainable growth strategies are not just academic; they represent the real-world challenges and aspirations of thousands of entrepreneurs striving to create the future. By bringing together diverse perspectives and practical guidance, TechCrunch Disrupt 2026’s Builders Stage is poised to empower a new wave of founders to build smarter, scale faster, and ultimately, succeed in an ever-evolving technological landscape.
For those ready to elevate their entrepreneurial journey and learn from the leaders shaping the future of startups, securing a pass to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 today is an investment in invaluable knowledge and unparalleled networking opportunities. The event promises to be a crucible for ideas, a catalyst for growth, and a critical platform for understanding the intricate dance between innovation and execution in the modern tech era.
