{"id":745859,"date":"2026-09-03T02:05:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T23:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T02:05:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T23:05:19","slug":"builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/","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-6af3877005a55\" 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-6af3877005a55\" 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-2026-2\/#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-2026-2\/#Builders_Stage_agenda\" >Builders Stage agenda<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#How_to_Win_When_Youre_Not_Building_AI\" >How to Win When You\u2019re Not Building AI<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#What_Happens_When_OpenAI_Ships_Your_Roadmap\" >What Happens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Building_the_Next_Generation_of_AI_Giants\" >Building the Next Generation of AI Giants<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Competing_for_AI_Talent_Pay_Equity_and_Retention\" >Competing for AI Talent: Pay, Equity, and Retention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Winning_Pre-Seed_Without_a_Product\" >Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#From_MVP_to_Billions_of_Users_How_Product_Decisions_Must_Change_at_Scale\" >From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Hiring_When_AI_Is_a_Co-Founder\" >Hiring When AI Is a Co-Founder<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Rebuilding_Consumer_Products_for_the_AI_Era\" >Rebuilding Consumer Products for the AI Era<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#M_A_Is_Now_an_Early-Stage_Strategy\" >M&amp;A Is Now an Early-Stage Strategy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#The_Series_A_in_2027\" >The Series A\u00a0in\u00a02027<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#The_90-Day_GTM_Why_0%E2%80%9310M_ARR_Is_the_New_Baseline_and_How_to_Actually_Get_There\" >The 90-Day GTM: Why $0\u2013$10M ARR Is the New Baseline (and How to Actually Get There)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#The_Real_Tokenmaxxing_How_the_Best_AI_Companies_Navigate_a_Multi-Model_World\" >The Real\u00a0Tokenmaxxing: How the Best AI Companies Navigate a Multi-Model World<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Revealing_AI_Disruptors_60_What_Can_AI_Do_Next\" >Revealing AI Disruptors 60: What Can AI Do Next?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#PMF_Red_Flags_How_to_Tell_If_You_Really_Have_It\" >PMF Red Flags: How to Tell If You Really Have It<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#The_Zero-to-1K_Playbook_How_to_Get_Your_First_1000_Customers_Without_a_Marketing_Budget\" >The Zero-to-1K Playbook: How to Get Your First 1,000 Customers Without a Marketing Budget<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Yes_Its_Hard_to_Be_a_Founder_An_Honest_Conversation\" >Yes,\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0Hard to Be a Founder:\u00a0An\u00a0Honest Conversation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#So_Youve_Got_a_Hit_Product_How_Does_Your_Company_Do_It_Again\" >So\u00a0You\u2019ve Got a Hit Product. How Does Your Company Do It Again?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Hiring_Compensation_and_Culture_in_the_Most_Competitive_Market_Ever\" >Hiring, Compensation and Culture\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0Most Competitive Market Ever<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#How_to_Create_Viral_Growth_and_Capitalize_on_It\" >How to Create Viral Growth and Capitalize\u00a0on\u00a0It<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#The_High-Conviction_Filter_What_We_Learned_From_the_Battlefield\" >The High-Conviction Filter: What We Learned From the Battlefield<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#Ask_the_Investors\" >Ask the Investors<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/builders-stage-agenda-revealed-for-disrupt-2026-2\/#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<\/strong>\u00a0before our next ticket price\u00a0increase.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter 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>Built for founders who are ready to scale<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 aligncenter 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>Builders Stage agenda<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-win-when-you-re-not-building-ai\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Win_When_Youre_Not_Building_AI\"><\/span><strong>How to Win When You\u2019re Not Building AI<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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; and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/yurisagalov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Yuri Sagalov<\/a>, Managing Director at General Catalyst<\/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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-happens-when-openai-ships-your-roadmap\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Happens_When_OpenAI_Ships_Your_Roadmap\"><\/span><strong>What Happens When OpenAI Ships Your Roadmap<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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,\u00a0Airbyte;\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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-building-the-next-generation-of-ai-giants\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Building_the_Next_Generation_of_AI_Giants\"><\/span>Building the Next Generation of AI Giants<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"http:\/\/linkedin.com\/in\/jasvinder-khaira-9737061b3\/?skipRedirect=true\">Jas Khaira<\/a>, Global Head, Blackstone N1<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AI startups are scaling faster, and demanding more capital, than any generation before them. Jas Khaira, Global Head of Blackstone N1, shares what separates enduring companies from early momentum, how founders should think about capital as they scale, and what Blackstone looks for when backing the next generation of category-defining businesses.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-competing-for-ai-talent-pay-equity-and-retention\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Competing_for_AI_Talent_Pay_Equity_and_Retention\"><\/span>Competing for AI Talent: Pay, Equity, and Retention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/birnbing\/\">Matt Birnbaum<\/a>, Founder, Wylder.co, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/ioanahreninciuc\/\">Ioana Hreninciuc<\/a>, Runware, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/atlit\">Atli Thorkelsson<\/a>, VP, Talent Network, Redpoint Ventures<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The growth of AI startups has made hiring and retention more difficult for every tech company. From competing for AI talent to navigating secondary sales, founders are rethinking the human infrastructure of their startups. As incentives and employee expectations rapidly evolve, this session explores how companies are adapting compensation, culture, and team-building strategies to attract and retain top talent in a fundamentally changed market.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-winning-pre-seed-without-a-product\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Winning_Pre-Seed_Without_a_Product\"><\/span><strong>Winning Pre-Seed Without a Product<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/puneet324\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Puneet Agarwal<\/a>, 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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-from-mvp-to-billions-of-users-how-product-decisions-must-change-at-scale\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"From_MVP_to_Billions_of_Users_How_Product_Decisions_Must_Change_at_Scale\"><\/span><strong>From MVP to Billions of Users: How Product Decisions Must Change at Scale<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hiring-when-ai-is-a-co-founder\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hiring_When_AI_Is_a_Co-Founder\"><\/span><strong>Hiring When AI Is a Co-Founder<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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;\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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rebuilding-consumer-products-for-the-ai-era\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rebuilding_Consumer_Products_for_the_AI_Era\"><\/span>Rebuilding Consumer Products for the AI Era<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/maria-angelidou-smith\">Maria Angelidou-Smith<\/a>, CPO, Reddit<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AI isn\u2019t just adding features, it\u2019s forcing product teams to rethink how people search, discover, communicate, <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">travel<\/a>, and make decisions. Leaders from Reddit, Square and Uber discuss how they\u2019re redesigning products used by millions, what users actually want from AI, and where product leaders should resist the temptation to automate everything.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-m-amp-a-is-now-an-early-stage-strategy\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"M_A_Is_Now_an_Early-Stage_Strategy\"><\/span><strong>M&amp;A Is Now an Early-Stage Strategy<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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<\/em> <em>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 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>en, even for small companies.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-series-a-in-2027\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Series_A_in_2027\"><\/span><strong>The Series A\u00a0in\u00a02027<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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 <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/janelleteng1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Janelle Teng Wade<\/a>, Partner, Bessemer Venture Partners<\/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 one to two 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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-90-day-gtm-why-0-10m-arr-is-the-new-baseline-and-how-to-actually-get-there\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_90-Day_GTM_Why_0%E2%80%9310M_ARR_Is_the_New_Baseline_and_How_to_Actually_Get_There\"><\/span><strong>The 90-Day GTM: Why $0\u2013$10M ARR Is the New Baseline (and How to Actually Get There)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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; and\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/tomasztunguz\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Tomasz\u00a0Tunguz<\/a>, General Partner and Founder, Theory Ventures;\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/benbroca\/\">Ben Broca<\/a>, Founder, Polsia<\/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 to $10 million 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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-real-tokenmaxxing-how-the-best-ai-companies-navigate-a-multi-model-world\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Real_Tokenmaxxing_How_the_Best_AI_Companies_Navigate_a_Multi-Model_World\"><\/span><strong>The Real\u00a0Tokenmaxxing: How the Best AI Companies Navigate a Multi-Model World<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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 Jomaa<\/em><\/a><em>, Partner, Capital G;\u00a0and <\/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\u00a0Co-founder,\u00a0Pathway;\u00a0more 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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-revealing-ai-disruptors-60-what-can-ai-do-next\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Revealing_AI_Disruptors_60_What_Can_AI_Do_Next\"><\/span>Revealing AI Disruptors 60: What Can AI Do Next?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/shaygrinfeld\">Shay Grinfield<\/a>, Greenfield Partners<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The AI conversation is shifting from what models can say to what they can actually do. Agents are navigating the open web and completing work, AI systems are taking on increasingly ambitious research, intelligent machines are beginning to operate beyond the screen, and a new infrastructure layer is emerging to make all of this possible at scale. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Greenfield Partners\u2019 Shay Grinfeld sits down with founders building across these emerging areas to separate what\u2019s real today from what\u2019s coming next, and explore where the biggest new opportunities are taking shape. The conversation will culminate in the reveal of Greenfield Partners\u2019 2026 AI Disruptors 60, spotlighting the companies Greenfield and TechCrunch believe are pushing AI into new territory.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-pmf-red-flags-how-to-tell-if-you-really-have-it\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"PMF_Red_Flags_How_to_Tell_If_You_Really_Have_It\"><\/span><strong>PMF Red Flags: How to Tell If You Really Have It<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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>, Managing Director, Sapphire Ventures;\u00a0and <\/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 and Head of Superhuman Mail;\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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-zero-to-1k-playbook-how-to-get-your-first-1-000-customers-without-a-marketing-budget\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Zero-to-1K_Playbook_How_to_Get_Your_First_1000_Customers_Without_a_Marketing_Budget\"><\/span><strong>The Zero-to-1K Playbook: How to Get Your First 1,000 Customers Without a Marketing Budget<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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;\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/leahsolivan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Leah\u00a0Solivan<\/a>, Founder and General Partner, Precedent.vc<\/em>; <em>and<\/em> <em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/elia-wallen\/\">Elia Wallen<\/a>, Founder and CEO, Engine<\/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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-yes-it-s-hard-to-be-a-founder-an-honest-conversation\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Yes_Its_Hard_to_Be_a_Founder_An_Honest_Conversation\"><\/span><strong>Yes,\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0Hard to Be a Founder:\u00a0An\u00a0Honest Conversation<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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,\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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-so-you-ve-got-a-hit-product-how-does-your-company-do-it-again\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_Youve_Got_a_Hit_Product_How_Does_Your_Company_Do_It_Again\"><\/span><strong>So\u00a0You\u2019ve Got a Hit Product. How Does Your Company Do It Again?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/kaliszan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Filip\u00a0Kaliszan<\/a>, CEO and Co-founder,\u00a0Verkada; and\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/aaronejacobson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Aaron Jacobson<\/a>, Partner, New Enterprise Associates; <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/maddi-holman-0b5b5a113\/\">Maddi Holman<\/a>, General Partner, Daring Ventures\u00a0<\/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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hiring-compensation-and-culture-in-the-most-competitive-market-ever\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hiring_Compensation_and_Culture_in_the_Most_Competitive_Market_Ever\"><\/span><strong>Hiring, Compensation and Culture\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0Most Competitive Market Ever<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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; and\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;\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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-create-viral-growth-and-capitalize-on-it\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Create_Viral_Growth_and_Capitalize_on_It\"><\/span><strong>How to Create Viral Growth and Capitalize\u00a0on\u00a0It<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\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<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-high-conviction-filter-what-we-learned-from-the-battlefield\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_High-Conviction_Filter_What_We_Learned_From_the_Battlefield\"><\/span><strong>The High-Conviction Filter: What We Learned From the Battlefield<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><i>With <\/i><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" style=\"font-style: italic;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alexavontobel\/\">Alexa von Tobel<\/a><i>,\u00a0Inspired\u00a0Capital; and <\/i><em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/chchien\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Chi-Hua Chien<\/a>, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Goodwater Capital; <\/em><i>more speakers to be announced<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What separates the breakout companies from the rest at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026?\u00a0In\u00a0this candid debrief, Startup 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 Startup Battlefield appearance.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-ask-the-investors\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ask_the_Investors\"><\/span>Ask the Investors<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/stacyphilpot\/\">Stacy Brown-Philpot<\/a>, Founder &amp; Managing Partner at Cherryrock Capital; <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/chchien\/\">Chi-Hua Chien<\/a>, Co-founder &amp; Managing Partner, Goodwater Capital; <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/daynagrayson\/\">Dayna Grayson<\/a>, Construct Capital; <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/carterreum\/\">Carter Reum<\/a>, Co-founder and Managing Partner, M13; <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alexavontobel\/\">Alexa Von Tobel<\/a>, Inspired Capital<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What makes an investor say yes? In this audience-led Q&amp;A, the Startup Battlefield finals judges take your toughest questions on what separates a fundable startup from the rest: team, traction, market opportunity, pitch delivery, red flags, and more. Come ready to ask and get candid answers straight from the investors making the decisions.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-join-nbsp-the-conversations-and-make-the-connections-at-disrupt\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Join_the_conversations_and_make_the_connections_at_Disrupt\"><\/span>Join\u00a0the conversations and make the connections at Disrupt<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>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter 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\/09\/02\/the-builders-stage-brings-practical-strategies-for-scaling-startups-to-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":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[77337,75736,76556,97802,151516,77143,74839,151443,70917,154494,160373,73295],"class_list":["post-745859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-technology","tag-ai","tag-crypto","tag-fintech","tag-robotics","tag-biotech-health","tag-climate","tag-fundraising","tag-media-entertainment","tag-startups","tag-techcrunch-disrupt","tag-techcrunch-disrupt-2026","tag-transportation"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/745859","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=745859"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/745859\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=745859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=745859"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=745859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}