TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 Completes Builders Stage Agenda with Elite Scaling Experts

Startups don’t build themselves — and the Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 (taking place October 27–29 at San Francisco’s Moscone West) is where founders, operators, and investors get honest about what it truly takes to turn a concept into a viable business. This stage is all about actionable tactics: the hands-on, detailed work that turns ideas into profitable ventures.

We’ve already announced industry heavyweights like Elad Gil, Dick Costolo, and Ryan Petersen — and now the lineup is growing even stronger. New speakers (including Discord’s Jason Citron) and fresh sessions (such as live demos of cutting-edge robots) are joining the agenda. Attendees can expect new insights on everything from securing their first term sheet to expanding their go-to-market strategy, plus guidance on identifying where AI can truly add value to their business.

Prepare for open conversations, hard-earned lessons, and live Q&A with the visionaries who’ve built and backed companies that define entire categories. If you want to scale your startup more strategically, the Builders Stage is the place to be. Register now to save up to $668 on your ticket before prices rise later this month.

Explore the Full Builders Stage Lineup at Disrupt 2025

TC DISRUPT OCT 27-29 SAN FRANCISCO
6 BUILDERS STAGE

Smart Fundraising

A Chat with Top Investor Elad Gil

Elad Gil, CEO, Gil & Co.
Long before ChatGPT became a household name, Elad Gil was writing seed checks to startups like Perplexity, Character.AI, and Harvey. That’s in addition to his early investments in industry leaders such as Airbnb, Airtable, Anduril, Brex, Checkr, Coinbase, Deel, Figma, Flexport, GitLab, Gusto, Instacart, Notion, Opendoor, Pinterest, Rippling, Square, and Stripe — to name just a few.
Gil, who has also founded companies like Mixerlabs (acquired by Twitter) and Color Health, has a knack for predicting the next big trends. Today, he’s already focusing on the future of AI and investing, making his insights a must-hear for anyone in the startup space.

Image Credits: Slava Blazer / TechCrunch

Building the Future with Minds from Twitter and Meta

Adam Bain and Dick Costolo, co-founders and managing partners; David Fischer, partner, 01 Advisors
Join these three influential investors from 01 Advisors for an exclusive fireside chat about what it really takes to build, scale, and fund early-stage startups today. Covering topics from product development to growth strategies to fundraising, you’ll get unfiltered advice and fresh perspectives from industry veterans who are shaping the next era of tech innovation.

Pitching at the Inception Stage: How to Stand Out Without Traction

Navin Chaddha, managing partner, Mayfield; Charles Hudson, managing partner, Precursor Ventures
Raising pre-seed or seed capital at the very early stages means pitching with no product, no users, and no traction — only a vision and your story as a founder. In this panel, Navin Chaddha (Mayfield) and Charles Hudson (Precursor Ventures) share what they look for in early-stage founders and how to make an impact when you have little more than an idea. Learn how to build trust, craft a compelling narrative, and avoid the most common pitfalls that derail founders seeking their first critical investment.

Image Credits: Kimberly White / Getty Images

Seed Funding Secrets Every Founder Needs to Know

Gabby Cazeau, partner, Harlem Capital; Marlon Nichols, co-founder & managing general partner, MaC Venture Capital; Maria Palma, partner, Freestyle Capital
Securing your first round of funding is challenging, but it’s far from impossible. This panel brings together seasoned investors to break down the key steps to closing a seed round. From creating a strong pitch to choosing the right partners, you’ll get practical, actionable advice to turn investor interest into actual capital for your startup.

Raising a Series A in 2026: What VCs Really Want

Thomas Krane, managing director, Insight Partners; Katie Stanton, founder & general partner, Moxxie Ventures; Sangeen Zeb, general partner, GV
In this straightforward panel, top venture capitalists reveal what drives them to offer a term sheet with a strong valuation — from the metrics that matter most to the pitch mistakes that instantly kill deals. Learn how to position your company for its first formal, institutional investment and set the stage for long-term success.

Crafting a Pitch That Resonates: What VCs Actually Want to Hear

Medha Agarwal, general partner, defy.vc; Jyoti Bansal, CEO & co-founder, Harness; Jennifer Neundorfer, general partner, January Ventures
Investors hear hundreds of pitches every year, but only a handful leave a lasting impression. In this session, VCs share directly what they