TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will be held October 27-29. Just like last year, the event will be held at the iconic Moscone West in San Francisco. This signature annual event will bring together a dynamic cross-section of entrepreneurs, investors and tech-savvy talent. They’re all just as excited to find their next innovation from the startup ecosystem. The event is known for its stimulating mix of speakers and panels. The objective is to give practical, hands-on advice and useful connections to those who wish to take their ideas into startups or new companies.
This year’s agenda features powerful and provocative voices from across the industry. Among them is Elad Gil, serial entrepreneur and visionary known for founding companies like Mixerlabs and Color Health. He’ll be in good company, though, as he joins a lineup of world-class speakers providing know-how on all the different aspects of growing your startup. The Builders Stage will be the hub for exciting conversations. We’ll dive into some of the most cutting-edge strategies for getting startups off the ground.
Keynote Speakers and Insights
One of the many high-profile speakers at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 so far is Ryan Petersen, founder and CEO of Flexport. Petersen will recount his introduction to building a successful startup and breaking through the fog of the logistics industry. His perspectives are especially timely for those entrepreneurial dreamers looking for inspiration as they make their own plans to launch their new enterprises.
Lila Preston, head of growth equity at Generation Investment Management, will discuss how to evaluate, design, and manage investment strategies. In addition, she’ll share what’s driving current market trends. We’ll hear from Andrea Thomaz, the CEO and co-founder of Diligent Robotics, who will talk about her journey creating AI-driven robotics solutions. Attendees can look forward to her firsthand perspective on overcoming obstacles in the world of tech innovation.
Zeya Yang, a partner at IVP, will dive into growth equity. She will share thoughts on how to use it to scale truly impactful, important businesses effectively. Attendees will walk away with valuable insights from top industry leaders. These are the experts who will be sharing their unique perspectives on what it really takes to succeed in today’s hyper competitive landscape.
Engaging Panels and Discussions
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will feature an engaging panel titled “What VCs Really Want to Hear in Your Pitch.” We’ve assembled an impressive panel of speakers, including Medha Agarwal, general partner of defy.vc. She’ll paint a picture of some of the most important investment criteria that venture capitalists look for when considering a pitch.
Jyoti Bansal, the Founder and current CEO of Harness is joining Agarwal. He will talk through his experience of pitching to investors and securing investment. She will be joined by Jennifer Neundorfer, general partner at January Ventures. She’ll pull back the curtain on the latest trends in venture capital and share the most important things entrepreneurs need to know when looking for venture capital.
In this session, we will demystify the pitching process. It’ll empower founders to better understand what investors are looking for and train them to articulate their value proposition in a compelling way.
Fireside Chats with Industry Veterans
In addition to the informative panels, TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will host an exclusive fireside chat featuring Adam Bain and Dick Costolo, co-founders and managing partners of 01 Advisors. They’ll be complemented in the discussion by David Fischer, partner at 01 Advisors, who adds a unique perspective to the discussion. We expect this intimate format to give attendees a rare glimpse into the minds of experienced (and successful) investors.
We’ll explore their journeys through the tech world. In the process, they’ll walk us through their best practices for surviving and thriving in the volatile world of startup fundraising. We anticipate this fireside chat will provide important lessons for entrepreneurs seeking to create connections with prospective funders.
Future-Focused Panels
TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is all about creating big-picture, progressive conversations. To that end, it will open with an on-the-nose panel called “How to Raise a Series A in 2026.” Sangeen Zeb, general partner at GV, will facilitate this working session. To inform these discussions, he’ll address critical strategies startups need to undertake to ensure they are best positioned heading into their next funding round.
Nina Achadjian, partner at Index Ventures, to join Zeb. She’ll be bringing her crystal ball to figure out where venture capitalists will put their money in 2026. Their perspectives will equip attendees with knowledge of new trends in the world of investment and get them geared up to face new challenges in raising funds.
