TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Reveals Builders Stage Agenda
TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 has officially unveiled the agenda for its Builders Stage, a dedicated track focused on the tactical realities of scaling a startup. The program brings together founders and venture capitalists to discuss the operational challenges of the current tech ecosystem, ranging from AI integration to navigating M&A strategies.
Strategic Scaling and AI Integration
The sessions feature industry leaders such as Grant Lee (Gamma), Leah Solivan (Precedent.vc), and Robby Stein (Google). A primary theme throughout the event is the shift in product development as companies scale from a minimum viable product (MVP) to millions of users. Stein will lead a fireside chat detailing how decision-making must evolve when updates impact a massive user base, balancing reliability with the need for speed.
For founders operating in an AI-saturated market, the stage will host sessions on maintaining competitive advantages. One panel, featuring Michel Tricot (Airbyte), Rob Toews (Radical Ventures), and Linda Tong (Webflow), tackles the existential risk of larger players like OpenAI or Anthropic launching competing features. Additionally, experts like Mo Jomaa (Capital G) and Zuzanna Stamirowska (Pathway) will explore “tokenmaxxing”—the orchestration of multi-model AI architectures to maintain agility.
Fundraising and Financial Fundamentals
With investor expectations tightening, the agenda addresses the new benchmarks for early-stage success. Key topics include:
- The 2027 Series A: Partners from Index Ventures, Peak XV, and Bessemer Venture Partners will define what “fundable” will mean in the coming years.
- Pre-Seed Strategy: Investors from True Ventures, Slauson and Co, and Axiom Partners discuss how to secure capital before a product is even built by focusing on founder-market fit.
- Revenue Baseline: Ryan Meadows (Lovable) and Tomasz Tunguz (Theory Ventures) analyze why $0–$10 million ARR is the new early-stage baseline and how to achieve it within a 90-day go-to-market window.
Operational Realities and Human Capital
Beyond technical growth, the Builders Stage highlights the human element of company building. Joshua Reeves (Gusto) will discuss the evolving definition of an early team as AI agents take over traditional engineering and operational tasks.
The agenda also provides an honest look at the psychological demands of entrepreneurship. A session featuring Nell Daly (Revenge Capital), David H. Rosmarin (Harvard Medical School), and Jack Withinshaw (Airspeeder) will unpack the hidden costs of high-growth environments, including decision fatigue and burnout.
Other notable sessions include:
- M&A as a Strategy: Insights from M13, Coinbase, and Mignano Law Group on building companies with acquisition in mind from day one.
- The Zero-to-1K Playbook: Practical advice on acquiring the first 1,000 customers without a dedicated marketing budget.
- The Second Act: Filip Kaliszan (Verkada) and Aaron Jacobson (NEA) on building multi-product engines to prevent growth plateaus.