{"id":736407,"date":"2026-07-01T17:10:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T14:10:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T17:10:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T14:10:22","slug":"builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Builders Stage agenda revealed for Disrupt 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af254aa01c34\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af254aa01c34\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026\/#Built_for_founders_who_are_ready_to_scale\" >Built for founders who are ready to scale<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026\/#Builders_Stage_Agenda\" >Builders Stage Agenda<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026\/#Join_the_conversations_and_make_the_connections_at_Disrupt\" >Join\u00a0the conversations and make the connections at Disrupt<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p id=\"speakable-summary\" class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Builders Stage is returning to\u00a0<strong>TechCrunch Disrupt 2026<\/strong>, bringing together founders, startup operators, and\u00a0investors for practical conversations on what it takes to build and scale successful companies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hear from startup and venture leaders shaping the tech ecosystem, including Grant Lee, CEO and co-founder of Gamma;\u00a0Leah\u00a0Solivan, founder and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a> partner at Precedent.vc; Robby Stein, VP of Product at Google;\u00a0<strong>and more<\/strong>. Through candid conversations and real-world case studies, speakers will share actionable insights on fundraising, hiring, go-to-market strategy, AI, and the operational decisions that fuel startup growth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Join\u00a0more than 10,000 founders,\u00a0investors, startup operators, and <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a> leaders at\u00a0Moscone Center\u00a0in\u00a0San Francisco on October 13-15.\u00a0<strong>Register today and save up to $330<\/strong>\u00a0before ticket prices\u00a0increase.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/events\/techcrunch-disrupt\/tickets\/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&amp;utm_campaign=disrupt2026&amp;utm_content=agenda&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_source=tc\" data-event=\"clickable_image\" height=\"383\" width=\"680\" alt=\"TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Builders Stage\" class=\"wp-image-3137986\" srcset=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png 1920w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=150,84 150w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=680,383 680w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=1280,720 1280w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=430,242 430w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=720,405 720w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=800,450 800w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=668,375 668w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=1097,617 1097w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=708,398 708w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=50,28 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span class=\"wp-block-image__credits\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>TechCrunch<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-built-for-founders-who-are-ready-to-scale\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Built_for_founders_who_are_ready_to_scale\"><\/span><strong>Built for founders who are ready to scale<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Building a startup is one thing. Building a company that can scale is another challenge entirely. The Builders Stage is\u00a0<strong>one of six\u00a0industry-focused stages at\u00a0Disrupt 2026<\/strong>, dedicated to helping founders navigate the challenges of growth, from raising capital and hiring top talent to building go-to-market engines and preparing for the jump from Seed to <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/watch-movies-tv-seriess\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"8\" title=\"Watch Movies &amp; TV Series\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Series<\/a> A.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every session delivers practical strategies you can put to work\u00a0im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>tely, plus opportunities to engage directly with speakers during live Q&amp;A.\u00a0<strong>Secure your pass to Disrupt\u00a02026\u00a0today<\/strong>\u00a0and save up to $330 before rates\u00a0increase.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/events\/techcrunch-disrupt\/tickets\/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&amp;utm_campaign=disrupt2026&amp;utm_content=agenda&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_source=tc\" data-event=\"clickable_image\" height=\"453\" width=\"680\" alt=\"TechCrunch Disrupt Builders Stage\" class=\"wp-image-3119409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png 2048w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=680,453 680w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=1280,853 1280w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=430,287 430w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=720,480 720w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=800,533 800w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=668,445 668w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=563,375 563w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=926,617 926w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=708,472 708w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Disrupt-2025-Builders-Stage-Crowd.png?resize=50,33 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span class=\"wp-block-image__credits\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>Slava Blazer Photography \/ <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Flickr <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">(opens in a new window)<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without further ado,\u00a0here\u2019s\u00a0your first look at the Builders Stage agenda, with\u00a0<strong>more speakers<\/strong>\u00a0and sessions to be announced as we get closer to the event.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-builders-stage-agenda\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Builders_Stage_Agenda\"><\/span><strong>Builders Stage Agenda<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How to Win When You\u2019re Not Building AI<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/shan0343\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Shan\u00a0Shan<\/em><\/a><em>, Investment Manager, Baillie\u00a0Gifford\u00a0and more speakers to be announced<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AI may dominate the world of venture, but many enduring companies\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0be those that sell AI\u00a0models or agents. This session is for founders competing for attention\u00a0in\u00a0an AI-obsessed market. Panelists break down what\u00a0actually\u00a0matters\u00a0now: efficient growth, retention, revenue quality, and disciplined execution, and why fundamentals, not\u00a0hype, still build breakout businesses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What H<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/micheltricot\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Michel Tricot<\/em><\/a><em>, CEO\u00a0and\u00a0Co-founder,\u00a0Airbyt;\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/robtoews\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Rob\u00a0Toews<\/em><\/a><em>, Partner, Radical Ventures;\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lktong\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Linda\u00a0Tong<\/em><\/a><em>, CEO,\u00a0Webflo<\/em>w<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nearly all\u00a0AI founders have the same worry these days: what if OpenAI or Anthropic\u00a0launches\u00a0a product that competes with mine? Even strong products are at risk of becoming features of\u00a0the larger\u00a0players. This session explores where defensibility exists and what founders can do if they do face competition from rapidly evolving AI giants.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With Puneet Agarwal, Managing Partner, True Ventures;\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/austinclements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Austin\u00a0Clements<\/em><\/a><em>, Managing Partner, Slauson\u00a0and\u00a0Co;\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/sandhyavenkatachalam\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Sandhya Venkatachalam<\/em><\/a><em>, Founder\u00a0and\u00a0Managing Partner, Axiom Partners<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Founders are\u00a0increasingly expected to compete for capital before they even have a product. At the pre-seed stage,\u00a0investors are betting on story, conviction, and founder-market fit. This session breaks down how to build credibility before revenue\u00a0exists\u00a0so\u00a0investors will cut that first check.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/robbystein\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Robby Stein<\/em><\/a><em>, VP, Product, Google<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The instincts that win when building your first\u00a0minimum\u00a0viable\u00a0product can break you at a billion-user scale. In this fireside,\u00a0Robby Stein\u00a0shares how product decision-making changes when every update\u00a0impacts\u00a0billions of users. Hear how teams balance speed with trust and innovation with reliability at one of the world\u2019s largest product organizations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hiring When AI Is a Co-Founder<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/joshuareeves\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Josh\u00a0Reeves<\/em><\/a><em>, CEO and Co-founder,\u00a0Gusto\u00a0and\u00a0more speakers to be announced<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Early-stage companies are no longer just building with\u00a0AI;\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0hiring it. As AI agents take on engineering, support, and operations, the definition of an early team is being rewritten. This session explores how founders decide what humans should own versus what gets delegated to AI, and how high-growth startups are building hybrid teams without losing speed, accountability, or culture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>M&amp;A Is Now an Early-Stage Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/karl-alomar-0516a219\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Karl\u00a0Alomar<\/em><\/a><em>, Managing Partner, M13;\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/aklilibssa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Aklil Ibssa<\/em><\/a><em>, Head of Corporate Development and M&amp;A, Coinbase; and\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/lindsey-mignano-477a0167\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Lindsey Mignano<\/em><\/a><em>, Founder, Mignano Law Group<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The smartest founders today\u00a0aren\u2019t\u00a0just building for\u00a0IPOs;\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0also building with\u00a0possible acquisitions\u00a0in\u00a0mind from day one. As exits shift and capital tightens, understanding M&amp;A early has become a competitive advantage. This session breaks down how founders can create the possibility of such\u00a0an option\u00a0through product strategy and partnerships.\u00a0It delves\u00a0into how big-dollar startup outcomes actually happen, even for small companies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Series A\u00a0in\u00a02027<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jahanvi-sardana-4519a19a\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Jahanvi Sardana<\/em><\/a><em>, Partner,\u00a0Index Ventures;\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/shailendraj1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Shailendra\u00a0Singh<\/em><\/a><em>, Managing Director, Peak XV;\u00a0and Janelle Teng Wade, Partner, Bessemer<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Series A is getting harder, with VCs growing\u00a0more demanding.\u00a0For founders planning to raise\u00a0in\u00a0the next 1\u20132 years, this session breaks down what \u201cfundable\u201d will actually mean\u00a0in\u00a02027.\u00a0Hear how top\u00a0investors are redefining the metrics, teams, and traction that\u00a0matter now, what outdated fundraising playbooks no longer work, and how companies can separate from the pack\u00a0in\u00a0the next funding cycle.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The 90-Day GTM: Why $0\u2013$10M ARR Is the New Baseline (And How to Actually Get There)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rmeadows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Ryan\u00a0Meadows<\/em><\/a><em>, Chief Revenue Officer, Lovable;\u00a0Tomasz\u00a0Tunguz, General Partner and Founder, Theory Ventures;\u00a0and\u00a0more speakers to be announced<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The definition of traction has changed. What once took years is now expected\u00a0in\u00a0months, and $0\u2013$10M ARR is\u00a0increasingly becoming the new\u00a0early-stage\u00a0baseline. This session breaks down how AI-enabled execution, faster distribution, and shifting\u00a0investor expectations are compressing GTM timelines, and the tactical levers founders need\u00a0in\u00a0the first\u00a090 days\u00a0to accelerate revenue and stand out fast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The real\u00a0Tokenmaxxing: How the Best AI Companies Navigate a Multi-Model World<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mojomaa0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Mo Jamma<\/em><\/a><em>, Partner, Capital G;\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/stamirowska\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Zuzanna\u00a0Stamirowska<\/em><\/a><em>, CEO\u00a0and\u00a0Cofounder,\u00a0Pathway;\u00a0and more speakers to be announced<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The frontier is\u00a0moving faster than any\u00a0single\u00a0model can keep up with, and the teams building the\u00a0most successful AI products are\u00a0increasingly orchestrating across many\u00a0models rather than\u00a0betting on\u00a0just one. This panel brings together founders and operators at the center of that shift to discuss how they evaluate new\u00a0models, manage cost and reliability at scale, and architect products that can evolve as quickly as the underlying technology.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>PMF Red Flags: How to Tell If You Really Have It<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rajeev-dham-79332812\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Rajeev Dham<\/em><\/a><em>, Partner, Sapphire Ventures;\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/rahulvohra\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Rahul Vohra<\/em><\/a><em>, Founder &amp; Head of Superhuman Mail;\u00a0and\u00a0more speakers to be announced<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In\u00a0an AI hype cycle, product-market fit signals are easier to fake and harder to trust. Founders are mistaking early excitement,\u00a0usage\u00a0spikes, and pilot wins for durable traction. This session breaks down what false PMF\u00a0actually looks\u00a0like, how\u00a0investors and operators separate real retention from\u00a0hype driven\u00a0adoption, and the signals that\u00a0indicate\u00a0whether a company has true pull or just temporary\u00a0momentum.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Zero-to-1K Playbook: How to Get Your First 1,000 Customers Without a Marketing Budget<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/grantslee\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Grant Lee<\/em><\/a><em>, CEO\u00a0and\u00a0Co-Founder, Gamma and\u00a0Leah\u00a0Solivan, Founder and General Partner, Precedent.vc<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Early customer acquisition is not about marketing\u00a0spend;\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0about founder-led distribution and relentless execution.\u00a0Most startups at zero to one do not have budget, brand, or scale, only urgency and creativity. This session breaks down how founders are landing their first customers through community building, product-led growth, founder-led sales, strategic outbound, and word-of-mouth\u00a0momentum.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Yes,\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0Hard to be a Founder:\u00a0An\u00a0Honest Conversation<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/nellgibbondaly\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Nell\u00a0Daly<\/em><\/a><em>,\u00a0Co-Founder\u00a0and\u00a0Managing Partner, Revenge Capital;\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/dhrosmarin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>David\u00a0H. Rosmarin<\/em><\/a><em>, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School;\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jackwithinshaw\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Jack\u00a0Withinshaw<\/em><\/a><em>,\u00a0Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer for\u00a0Airspeeder<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Company building is as psychologically demanding as it is strategic, and\u00a0most founder narratives understate that reality.\u00a0In\u00a0this candid conversation, founders and mental performance experts unpack the hidden costs of high growth environments, from burnout and decision fatigue to the identity strain\u00a0of sustained pressure, and share the systems, habits, and mental frameworks that help leaders endure and perform at a high level.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>So\u00a0You\u2019ve Got a Hit Product. How Does Your Company Do It Again?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kaliszan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Filip\u00a0Kaliszan<\/em><\/a><em>, CEO and Co-Founder,\u00a0Verkada; and\u00a0more speakers to be announced<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most startups stall out because they build a\u00a0single\u00a0great product\u00a0instead of a repeatable multi-product engine. Join\u00a0a venture capitalist and two founders as they reveal the precise operational playbook for capital allocation, systemizing\u00a0internal\u00a0innovation, and engineering a compounding \u201cSecond Act\u201d before the core product\u2019s growth curve flattens.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Hiring, Compensation and Culture\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0Most Competitive Market Ever<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/birnbing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Matt Birnbaum<\/em><\/a><em>, Founder, Wylder.co;\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/atlit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Atli Thorkelsson<\/em><\/a><em>, VP, Talent Network, Redpoint\u00a0Ventures;\u00a0and\u00a0more speakers to be announced<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No question about it, the growth of AI startups has made hiring and retention for all tech companies\u00a0more difficult. From competing for AI talent to secondary sales, founders are rethinking the human\u00a0infrastructure of their startups. As hiring,\u00a0incentives, and employee expectations rapidly evolve, this session explores how companies are adapting compensation, culture, and team-building strategies to attract and\u00a0retain\u00a0top talent\u00a0in\u00a0a fundamentally changed startup environment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How To Create Viral Growth and Capitalize\u00a0On\u00a0It<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/zachyadegari\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><em>Zach\u00a0Yadegari,<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0Founder, Cal AI<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Startups can go from zero to viral\u00a0overnight, but\u00a0sustaining that\u00a0momentum is a completely different challenge.\u00a0In\u00a0this fireside,\u00a0Zach\u00a0Yadegari shares how Cal AI navigated rapid growth, product pressure, and the realities of building\u00a0in\u00a0a distribution-driven market. Hear the lessons behind turning breakout attention\u00a0into durable retention and\u00a0long-term\u00a0company building.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The High-Conviction Filter: What We Learned from the Battlefield<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With Alexa Von Tobel,\u00a0Inspired\u00a0Capital\u00a0and\u00a0more speakers to be announced<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What separated the breakout companies from the rest at Disrupt 2026?\u00a0In\u00a0this candid debrief, Battlefield judges unpack the trends and founder qualities that stood out\u00a0in\u00a0real time, from shifting\u00a0investor expectations to the narratives that resonated\u00a0most this year. The conversation will also explore how startup storytelling is evolving and what happens after the spotlight,\u00a0including the realities of\u00a0maintaining\u00a0momentum and surviving the critical 12\u00a0months after a major launch, funding round, or Battlefield appearance.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-join-the-conversations-and-make-the-connections-at-disrupt\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Join_the_conversations_and_make_the_connections_at_Disrupt\"><\/span><strong>Join\u00a0the conversations and make the connections at Disrupt<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If\u00a0you\u2019re\u00a0ready to build smarter, scale faster, and learn from the leaders shaping the future of startups,\u00a0<strong>secure your pass to TechCrunch Disrupt\u00a02026\u00a0today<\/strong>\u00a0and save up to $330 before rates\u00a0increase.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/events\/techcrunch-disrupt\/tickets\/?promo=post_buildersstage80_07012026&amp;utm_campaign=disrupt2026&amp;utm_content=agenda&amp;utm_medium=post&amp;utm_source=tc\" data-event=\"clickable_image\" height=\"453\" width=\"680\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3130387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp 2048w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=150,100 150w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=680,453 680w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=1200,799 1200w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=1280,852 1280w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=430,286 430w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=720,479 720w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=900,599 900w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=800,532 800w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=1536,1022 1536w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=668,445 668w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=563,375 563w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=927,617 927w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=708,471 708w, https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Disrupt-Audience.webp?resize=50,33 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><span class=\"wp-block-image__credits\"><strong>Image Credits:<\/strong>TC<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn\u2019t affect our editorial independence.<\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Technology<\/a><\/span> category.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2026\/07\/01\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-practical-strategies-for-scaling-startups-at-techcrunch-disrupt-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Builders Stage is returning to\u00a0TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, bringing together founders, startup operators, and\u00a0investors for practical conversations on what it takes to build and scale successful companies. Hear from startup and venture leaders shaping the tech ecosystem, including Grant Lee, CEO and co-founder of Gamma;\u00a0Leah\u00a0Solivan, founder and general partner at Precedent.vc; Robby Stein, VP of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":736408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Builders-Stage_ArticleHeader_tc26_V2.png?resize=1200,675","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[77337,75736,76556,97802,151516,77143,74839,151443,70917,151454,160373,73295],"class_list":["post-736407","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","tag-ai","tag-crypto","tag-fintech","tag-robotics","tag-biotech-health","tag-climate","tag-fundraising","tag-media-entertainment","tag-startups","tag-tc","tag-techcrunch-disrupt-2026","tag-transportation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736407","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=736407"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/736407\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/736408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=736407"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=736407"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=736407"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}