Get ready to supercharge your startup journey! The highly anticipated Builders Stage is making its grand return to TechCrunch Disrupt 2026. This October, join an unparalleled gathering of founders, operators, and investors for honest, actionable discussions on how to not just build, but truly scale, successful companies in today’s dynamic tech landscape.
From October 13-15 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, you’ll gain practical strategies directly from the minds shaping our tech ecosystem. Think candid conversations with leaders like Grant Lee (CEO & Co-founder of Gamma), Leah Solivan (Founder & General Partner at Precedent.vc), and Robby Stein (VP of Product at Google). These experts will share real-world case studies and insights spanning crucial topics like fundraising, hiring, go-to-market strategies, AI integration, and the critical operational decisions that fuel sustainable growth.
Navigating the AI-First World and Beyond
In a world captivated by AI, many founders worry about competing or even becoming obsolete. The Builders Stage dives deep into these concerns with sessions designed to equip you with robust strategies. Discover how to thrive when you’re “Not Building AI,” focusing on efficient growth, retention, and disciplined execution, proving that fundamentals still build breakout businesses.
What if industry titans like OpenAI or Anthropic ship a product that mirrors your roadmap? A crucial session, “What Happens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap,” will explore where true defensibility lies and how founders can strategically respond to competition from rapidly evolving AI giants. This isn’t just theory; it’s about practical survival and thriving.
- How to Win When You’re Not Building AI: Learn from Shan Shan (Baillie Gifford) and Yuri Sagalov (General Catalyst) on why fundamentals, not just hype, matter for enduring companies.
- What Happens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap: Michel Tricot (Airbyte), Rob Toews (Radical Ventures), and Linda Tong (Webflow) reveal strategies for defensibility against AI giants.
- The Real Tokenmaxxing: How the Best AI Companies Navigate a Multi-Model World: Mo Jomaa (Capital G) and Zuzanna Stamirowska (Pathway) discuss orchestrating across multiple AI models for superior product development.
- The Zero-to-1K Playbook: How to Get Your First 1,000 Customers Without a Marketing Budget: Grant Lee (Gamma), Leah Solivan (Precedent.vc), and Elia Wallen (Engine) share founder-led distribution and execution strategies.
Mastering Fundraising, Growth, and Team Building
Securing capital and scaling your team are perennial challenges for startups, and the Builders Stage offers tailored guidance. If you’re competing for pre-seed capital without a product, a session with Puneet Agarwal (True Ventures), Austin Clements (Slauson and Co), and Sandhya Venkatachalam (Axiom Partners) will dissect how to build credibility and secure that crucial first check.
For those eyeing future growth, “Series A in 2027: What Will It Actually Take to Be Fundable?” brings together leading VCs like Jahanvi Sardana (Index Ventures) and Shailendra Singh (Peak XV) to redefine the metrics and traction that truly matter. Moreover, understand how early-stage product decisions evolve as you move “From MVP to Billions of Users,” with insights from Robby Stein (Google) on balancing speed, trust, and innovation at scale.
- Beyond PMF: How to Fundraise Without a Product: Learn from Puneet Agarwal (True Ventures) and others on securing pre-seed capital based on story and conviction.
- Series A in 2027: What Will It Actually Take to Be Fundable?: Top investors like Jahanvi Sardana (Index Ventures) and Shailendra Singh (Peak XV) reveal what VCs truly seek.
- Hiring, Compensation and Culture in the Most Competitive Market Ever: Matt Birnbaum (Wylder.co) and Atli Thorkelsson (Redpoint Ventures) discuss adapting team strategies for AI-driven hiring.
- The 90-Day GTM: Why $0–$10M ARR Is the New Baseline: Ryan Meadows (Lovable) and Tomasz Tunguz (Theory Ventures) break down accelerated go-to-market strategies.
Beyond the Hype: Practicalities and Pathways to Success
The journey of a founder is both exhilarating and demanding. The Builders Stage doesn’t shy away from the realities, with a crucial conversation titled “Yes, It’s Hard to Be a Founder: An Honest Conversation.” Nell Daly (Revenge Capital) and David H. Rosmarin (Harvard Medical School) will explore the psychological tolls of high-growth environments, offering mental frameworks and habits for sustained high performance.
Additionally, learn how to future-proof your company by considering “M&A From Day One.” Karl Alomar (M13) and Aklil Ibssa (Coinbase) will demystify how founders can strategically build for potential acquisitions, creating more options and understanding how big-dollar startup outcomes truly happen. Don’t miss this opportunity to glean insights from the best.
This is your chance to engage directly with speakers, ask pressing questions, and network with a community of over 10,000 founders, investors, and tech leaders. Secure your pass to Disrupt 2026 today and save up to $330 before ticket prices increase! It’s an investment in your startup’s future that you won’t regret.
Source: TechCrunch – AI
