TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 is set to welcome back the Builders Stage, a vibrant platform for founders, startup leaders, and investors to engage in meaningful dialogues about the intricacies of building and scaling successful enterprises.
Attendees will hear insights from prominent figures in the startup and venture capital landscape, including 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, among others. These discussions will dive into real-world experiences, covering critical topics such as fundraising, talent acquisition, market strategy, artificial intelligence, and the operational tactics that drive startup success.
Join over 10,000 founders, investors, startup professionals, and tech innovators at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from October 13-15. Don’t miss your chance to secure tickets now and take advantage of early-bird pricing before the rates go up.
The Builders Stage is one of six specialized areas at Disrupt 2026, aimed at equipping founders with the tools necessary for growth. This includes guidance on securing funding, hiring skilled talent, creating marketing strategies, and transitioning from seed funding to Series A.
Each session is designed to offer immediate, actionable strategies, complemented by live Q&A opportunities with speakers. Register now for Disrupt 2026 and save up to $330 ahead of the ticket price hike.
Here’s a sneak peek at the Builders Stage agenda, with more details on speakers and topics to come as we approach the event.
**Builders Stage Agenda Highlights**
*Winning Strategies in an AI-Centric Market* With Shan Shan, Investment Manager at Baillie Gifford, and Yuri Sagalov, Managing Director at General Catalyst, this session will dissect essential growth elements like retention and revenue quality that persist even amidst the AI-driven hype.
*Understanding Competitive Landscape When OpenAI Affects Your Roadmap* Join Michel Tricot, CEO and Co-founder of Airbyte, Rob Toews from Radical Ventures, and Linda Tong, CEO of Webflow, as they discuss strategies to maintain defensibility in the face of fierce competition from AI giants.
*Scaling AI Startups: What Investors Seek* Jas Khaira from Blackstone N1 will share insights on what differentiates sustainable companies from fleeting successes, focusing on capital allocation as startups aim for scale.
*Attracting Top AI Talent* With Matt Birnbaum from Wylder.co and Ioana Hreninciuc from Runware, this session addresses the heightened challenges in hiring amidst rising employee expectations and evolving market conditions.
*Capitalizing on Pre-Seed Funding Without a Product* Puneet Agarwal from True Ventures will guide founders on how to secure initial funding based solely on vision and market potential.
*From MVP to Billion-User Success: Adapting Product Decisions* Robby Stein from Google discusses the complexities of product decision-making at scale, emphasizing the need to balance speed and reliability.
*Navigating AI in Team Dynamics* Led by Josh Reeves, co-founder of Gusto, this session investigates how startups can integrate AI into their operations while maintaining team cohesion.
*Rethinking Consumer Products for an AI-Driven World* Leaders from Reddit, Square, and Uber will explore how AI dynamics are reshaping product design and user interaction.
*Strategic Mergers and Acquisitions in Early Stages* Karl Alomar from M13 and Lindsey Mignano discuss building an M&A strategy from day one, adapting to shifting exit strategies.
*The Future of Series A Funding* This briefing will prepare founders for evolving standards in fundraising as investors become progressively discerning.
*Accelerating Revenue Growth in 90 Days* Industry experts share strategies on how AI is shortening the time frame for achieving significant revenue milestones.
*Innovating Across Multiple Models in AI* A panel of founders will discuss the need for agility in product development within a rapidly changing technological landscape.
*Exploring the Potential of AI Beyond Current Models* Shay Grinfeld of Greenfield Partners will lead a discussion on the future capabilities of AI, featuring the unveiling of the 2026 AI Disruptors 60—highlighting companies pushing the technological boundaries.
*Understanding True Product-Market Fit* Rajeev Dham from Sapphire Ventures provides critical insights on recognizing genuine traction amidst the noise of market excitement.
*Gaining Your First 1,000 Customers on a Shoestring* Founders Lee, Solivan, and Wallen will reveal how creative strategies and grassroots efforts drive initial customer acquisition.
*The Psychological Realities of Being a Founder* A discussion featuring Nell Daly and David H. Rosmarin will delve into the often-overlooked mental and emotional challenges of navigating high-growth environments.
*Scaling Beyond a Single Hit Product* Founders Kaliszan and Jacobson dissect the frameworks for creating a sustainable, multi-product innovation strategy.
*Recruitment Strategies in a Competitive Talent Market* Matt Birnbaum and Atli Thorkelsson address the shifting dynamics of hiring and the evolving expectations of today’s workforce.
*Harnessing Viral Growth* Zach Yadegari will share tactics for leveraging initial viral success and converting it into lasting engagement.
*Investor Insights: The Key to Securing Funding* In an interactive Q&A, investors will shed light on what characteristics make a startup attractive for investment.
Get ready to engage in essential conversations and forge valuable connections at Disrupt 2026. If you're eager to enhance your understanding and capabilities in this evolving startup landscape, secure your pass today!
